Friday, February 20, 2015

PIG IRON: "Sermons From the Church Of Blues Restitution"

Rating: RRr
Label: OffYerRocka/Border 2015
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

The best moniker since Tigertailz?? Only kidding. Sure. I'd like to met the preacher that speaks of "Sermons From the Church Of Blues Restitution". And with a reputation of sounding like a darker version of The Quireboys and Black Crowes, I've been looking forward to listening to their latest sermon. However, you're not preaching to the choir here as I find things remarkable safe and below average at times. Don't get me wrong. The whiskey and cigarette vocals by Ogle and Edwards (still no match to Spike - the ultimate hoarse singer) are nice and the noisy and raw production goes hand in hand with their nifty arrangements. They have basically retained their muscular sound, although they have added some more basic roots such as MC5 and Iggy.

For all that's worth mentioning, this kind of uber gritty southern/Detroit tinged rock can be a tad one dimensional at times. It could just end up sounding a bit stale and lacking in stamina. I'm not talking hordes of filler material and dodgy musicians. Just not very "original" and a bit like your neighbours garage band. Good after twenty beers or so and don't you ever pay attention to what they're singing about since the lyric is shite anyhow. For instance and I quote: "Wildcat birdhead, why can't you look me in the eye. Well I'm telling you woman. We're gonna have to say goodbye", end quote. Or why not this from "The Spell" and I quote again, "Hey you got me under your spell. Baby you got me under your spell. Honey you got me under your spell.  I can't sleep alone what you doin to me. Can't call you on the phone what ya doin to me". Excellent. Now go back to flipping burgers.

The guitar work is savage as f**k and end up grinding the same following path for the majority of the album. It's all far too dodgy to me. Pick of the bunch would have to be the classy "Come To Me" (including fine backup vocals by Emma Wilson).

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