The Hot Sprockets – Brother Nature

Contrary to the dismissive claims of some songwriters, “difficult second album syndrome” is all too real for many artists. Over the years, countless bands have been plagued by it and, in more than a few cases, failing to match the creative success of their debut has resulted in their ultimate implosion. It is therefore hugely encouraging when a group buck the trend and end up bettering their previous outing by some distance: Dublin quintet The Hot Sprockets can now be counted in that happy camp.
Steeped in Rolling Stones and Faces sensibilities, and packed with great big rhythm guitar noises, Brother Nature is a whiskey-soaked riot of a record. There’s a generous 13 tracks: some of the songs, like the stonking ‘Soul Brother’, will already be familiar to those who have caught the Hot Sprockets’ incendiary live show over the years, but that’s good: you can get into the groove immediately. They are no one-trick ponies: there is an impressive diversity across the 13 tracks, encompassing brooding swamp blues (‘Quarter Roam’), Rawhide-inspired cowpunk (‘El Toro’) and righteous rock ‘n’ roll (‘Boogie Woogie’) among other genres and stylings. The flute-driven ‘Heavy On My Mind’ – remember Jethro Tull, anyone? – is a gem. And ‘Homeslice’ is a superb ballad of lost youth and opportunity, which is sure to be a live favourite for years to come. With Brother Nature, Hot Sprockets have confirmed that they are a real rock’n’roll band. There can be no higher compliment than that.