Review:

on 2011-05-22 Bertman Said:

The Hillbilly Hellcats CD "Our Brand" offers up 20 tracks of amazing rockabilly, served straight up and unfiltered.

This isn't punked out psychobilly, with grim or campy horror movie lyrics. Not some twisted re-interpretation or nostalgia for a time that never existed. No, THH play it straight and are purists, singing about what matters: liquor, girls, cars and music. They kick off the CD with "Road Rage" and only let off the gas ever so slightly as they wind their way through the other songs.

"Hillbilly Love" hiccups and lopes easily like some of Buddy Holly's darker thoughts come to light.

The playing is sharp, tense, and fluid. Guitarist Chuck Hughes unleashes brilliant white hot leads that call to mind Bill Haley at his best. Other tracks offer Chuck's chicken picken' soft muted chords that patter as lightly as a cats paws on a hardwood floor. Lance Romance plays bass like someone with something to prove, slapping his bass as if it owes him money.

With memorable songwriting, crisp production and pure undistilled reverbed bliss, this CD is required listening for anyone who likes rockabilly and wants to hear it done right.


Rating: 8/10