This is rock and roll, the right way – the way we first experienced it as kids – songs about women, life, aggravation – at a breakneck pace and full-on throttle. Such is the new album from Denver-based trio, The Yawpers. Filled with energy, drive, sonic assaults and some great howling vocals, courtesy of singer Nate Cook.
Starting with the opening track, “Doing It Right”, a classic rave-up with some monster slide guitar runs and what sounds like an acoustic guitar gone electric and haywire – leaves you breathless! “Deacon Brody” is another speed-of-light pounder, thumping along and grinding the strings in desperate riffage; “Beale Street” is an elegant, mandolin and fiddle driven hyperdrive fest that makes you pound your foot along but then turns clever little grooves on the end of the verses and “Tied” is, although more subdued, dark and menacing with those twanging acoustic guitars unleashed.
“Kiss It” is a whirlwind of fast pace, swirling melody, classic boogie and explosive moments; “3 A.M.” has a minute’s worth of a hypnotic, dense opening then goes into a pure country rock mode and travels in peaks and valleys – easily the album’s standout track and “Faith And Good Judgment” is the other high point – a classic, radio friendly Southern rock-styled track with perfectly placed dynamics in the guitar fills.
This is a band that I hope people see in a serious light – there’s a lot of humor aligned with their presentation and their visuals, but they’re damned good musicians. And this album has a lot of meat; no extraneous filler – just straight ahead, no bullshit rock and roll. The Yawpers have it.
RECOMMENDED
American Man is available now
http://www.theyawpers.com/
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