Agri-dustrial

Once more, the legendary Colonel J.D. Wilkes leads his battle-hardened troops onto the front line. What we're treated to is another blazing punky mix of offbeat Americana. The album opens with some quasi-industrial noises. From there, the band plunge into the first song proper, the heart of darkness travelogue that is 'Sin Eater'. This time out, however, bassist Mark Robertson has added new textures to the sonic stew, with the result that – on their fifth album (and third label) – Legendary Shack Shakers really kick out the jams. This is the first time that Duane Denison of Jesus Lizard/Tomahawk/Hank 111 infamy features and his guitar wizardry marks a big step forward. The quartet is complete with the thunderous rhythmic powerhouse of drummer Brett Whitacre at the heart of their audio assault.
However there is something more layered here also. 'Hog-Eyed Man' is all distorted vocals over a road-drill musical collage. 'Two Tickets To Hell' mixes atmospheric guitar and banjo. And 'Dump Road Yodel' is a thorough-going delight with banjo and organ-ic sounds underpinning Wilkes' playful yodel vocal.
Always up front with his harmonica at the ready, J.D. Wilkes matches his love of primal blues with southern gothic grunge and mountain music. Yet the end result is 100% the Shack Shakers. Dig it.