by Vitriola » Mon Aug 30, 2004 10:43 am
Tankard - Beast of Bourbon ****
Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society - Hangover Music: Vol. VI ****
Tankard's been around for over 10 years now, but this is the first I've heard them. I like the band already, looking back at their discography and seeing titles like 'Disco Destroyer' and 'Kings of Beer'. Tankard should not be confused with pianoqueef Ben Tankard, whose album titles include 'Play Me In Your Key' and 'Git Yo Prayze On'. Tankard seem to be a straight-up fast heavy metal/thrash band, and this album is balls out one of the best of the genre. They're German, but could have come out of any country where there's ass-kickin', floor spittin', loose shittin' roadhouse antics afoot. Holy shit does this album rule. 'Genetic Overkill', 'Die With A Beer In Your Hand', and 'Fistful of Love' (and something about sticking it up your ass) just don't let up, ever, and looking at the 6-pack in the fridge while this album was playing made me realize that 6 beers would not be enough for all the havoc I wanted to wreck. We'd all like the media to believe that music does not inspire violence, but this does. And it's FUN. 9/10, and make it a double next time, ok?
I haven't heard any Black Label Society either, but they're also known for boozy, hellraisin' rock, here inspired by good ol' southern rebellion. Whereas their previous 4 albums have been more metal-edged, this one is all soulful, piano blues and wistful, desperate longing. This album isn't fast. it isn't rockin', and it sure as HELL isn't hangover music. This is the music the bar plays as the last song before they kick you out: you have nowhere to go and nobody to go there with, all the alcohol in the world won't ease your mind, you're walking the streets in the middle of the night not wanting to go home but knowing you have to work in 4 hours, nowhere near sleep, and even that loser guy that everyone makes fun of seems to have found a place that night. You're still drunk but out of smokes, and the bums around their fires pity you. When I started this album I was busy around the apartment doing chores- by track 8 I was prone on the couch, gazing at the overcast sky and thinking that the 6-pack in the fridge might not be a bad idea.
There's a song on here called 'Layne' and if the obvious inspiration of Alice In Chains in this album wasn't clear, yes, this is a tribute to the late Layne Staley. In fact, Wylde sounds almost like a student of the Seattle sound, going from Staley/Cantrell moodiness to Cornell/Soundgarden wailing easily. Imagine, instead of rainy heroin music getting whiskey-saturated southern blues, and you'd get a good idea of what this is. Every song is solid, but, for Christ's sake, there's ain't a eyeopener in the bunch. Call it 'Jar of Flies: The Alabama Roadhouse Years'. Track 3, 'Steppin' Stone' sounds like they got Axl Rose to die in the background and is incredible, and other highlights include 'Crazy or High', 'Won't Find It Here', and a remake of 'Whiter Shade Of Pale'. This music is why guys get married and have kids and in-laws and barbeques and mow their lawns. it might seem banal, but if this is the alternative, the PTA ain't looking so bad. 8/10, straight up.
Tankard - Beast of Bourbon ****
Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society - Hangover Music: Vol. VI ****
Tankard's been around for over 10 years now, but this is the first I've heard them. I like the band already, looking back at their discography and seeing titles like 'Disco Destroyer' and 'Kings of Beer'. Tankard should not be confused with pianoqueef Ben Tankard, whose album titles include 'Play Me In Your Key' and 'Git Yo Prayze On'. Tankard seem to be a straight-up fast heavy metal/thrash band, and this album is balls out one of the best of the genre. They're German, but could have come out of any country where there's ass-kickin', floor spittin', loose shittin' roadhouse antics afoot. Holy shit does this album rule. 'Genetic Overkill', 'Die With A Beer In Your Hand', and 'Fistful of Love' (and something about sticking it up your ass) just don't let up, ever, and looking at the 6-pack in the fridge while this album was playing made me realize that 6 beers would not be enough for all the havoc I wanted to wreck. We'd all like the media to believe that music does not inspire violence, but this does. And it's FUN. 9/10, and make it a double next time, ok?
I haven't heard any Black Label Society either, but they're also known for boozy, hellraisin' rock, here inspired by good ol' southern rebellion. Whereas their previous 4 albums have been more metal-edged, this one is all soulful, piano blues and wistful, desperate longing. This album isn't fast. it isn't rockin', and it sure as HELL isn't hangover music. This is the music the bar plays as the last song before they kick you out: you have nowhere to go and nobody to go there with, all the alcohol in the world won't ease your mind, you're walking the streets in the middle of the night not wanting to go home but knowing you have to work in 4 hours, nowhere near sleep, and even that loser guy that everyone makes fun of seems to have found a place that night. You're still drunk but out of smokes, and the bums around their fires pity you. When I started this album I was busy around the apartment doing chores- by track 8 I was prone on the couch, gazing at the overcast sky and thinking that the 6-pack in the fridge might not be a bad idea.
There's a song on here called 'Layne' and if the obvious inspiration of Alice In Chains in this album wasn't clear, yes, this is a tribute to the late Layne Staley. In fact, Wylde sounds almost like a student of the Seattle sound, going from Staley/Cantrell moodiness to Cornell/Soundgarden wailing easily. Imagine, instead of rainy heroin music getting whiskey-saturated southern blues, and you'd get a good idea of what this is. Every song is solid, but, for Christ's sake, there's ain't a eyeopener in the bunch. Call it 'Jar of Flies: The Alabama Roadhouse Years'. Track 3, 'Steppin' Stone' sounds like they got Axl Rose to die in the background and is incredible, and other highlights include 'Crazy or High', 'Won't Find It Here', and a remake of 'Whiter Shade Of Pale'. This music is why guys get married and have kids and in-laws and barbeques and mow their lawns. it might seem banal, but if this is the alternative, the PTA ain't looking so bad. 8/10, straight up.