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Texas Hippie Coalition: Rollin'

Modern Southern Heavy Rock/Metal

4.0/5.0

Carved Records
www.myspace.com/texashippiecoalition
www.thcoutlaw.com
By Craig Hartranft,  12.12.2010

First impression? Clever name. Texas Hippie Coalition's Rollin' is worth consideration. Then push play. Crap, more downtuned American heavy rock. Several spins later: shit, this little band from Texas is pretty damn good. THC is a bit southern rock and very much Texas bronc busting bravado in a heavy rock to metal wrapper. Consider Lynyrd Skynryd meeting with Metallica and Pantera at a West Texas crossroads, then add a little ZZ Top like accessibility, and you may have the soundscape.

From the start THC has a huge thundering sound, a stampede of Texas longhorn bearing down upon you. Intervention, Flawed, Rollin, and Jesus Freak are impressive and entertaining numbers, large and broad with heavy riffs, clever arrangements, strong musicianship and surprising catchiness. As to the musicianship, I don't think I've heard a stronger rhythm section in sometime, and Big Dad Ritch's vocal prowess is both surprising and compelling. These significant elements form a maddening and entertaining genius in the best, and kick ass track, Pissed Off and Mad About It. (Is he mad about being pissed off?) You'll hear the Coalition's southern influences on Groupie Girl (think Skynyrd's What's Your Name? only harder, raw and dripping with Jim Beam).

After the first six songs, I was almost ready to declare that Texas Hippie Coalition as the next great American heavy Southern rock/metal band. But the latter half of disc gave me pause. While interesting and thick with slabs of heavy rock, Saddle Sore and Cocked & Loaded are mainly heavy. Back from Hell drifts back to the first half with a more interesting and endearing arrangement. But it's not until the closer Beg that THC's grabs you with their entertaining Texas gusto. Nevertheless, Rollin' is a crackin' good slab of inventive American heavy rock and metal. Very recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Texas Hippie Coalition's Rollin' is a crackin' good slab of inventive American heavy rock and metal. Very recommended.

Alphabetical Index

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]