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Texas Hippie Coalition: Peacemaker

Heavy Rock/Metal

4.0/5.0

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Carved Records
by Craig Hartranft,  11.27.2012

With Peacemaker, Texas Hippie Coalition keeps improving. With 2010's Rollin, the band caught some attention with their Southern-tinged heavier rock and metal. But the album was clearly weighted to the heavier side of things, with little variation after the first half. Peacemaker improves upon their Pantera-type Texas red dirt metal: more groove, more hooks, yet still heavy. And, cripes, they have a ballad, almost a love song with the closing tune Think of Me. What's up with that?

Texas Hippie Coalition:: red dirt originals.

The big groove and hooks start from the start with Hands Up, Damn You to Hell, and Outlaw. This is raucous and raw stuff, but heavily into the rock groove: 8 Seconds delivers. THC tries to mimic past heroes like Skynrd and Molly Hatchet with a Southern taste. You get this in passing, a dash so to speak, with Don't Come Lookin' or Paw Paw Hill. But they both revert to that heavy groove metal. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. The title cut, Peacemaker, named after the famous Colt revolver, finds THC evolving, being both musically and lyrically persuasive.

As for that closing ballad (with piano), Think of Me, I'm hoping vocalist Big Dad Ritch attempts more subtle material. He seems out of his element, not the rock thing, but more challenged and should try to do more of this.

Again, Peacemaker is a better Texas Hippie Coaltion, better all around, with more depth to their song writing and arrangements. It's also very Southern rock, and THC shoul pursue more of this; it only makes them better. Peacemaker is a solid album and easily 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.

Peacemaker is a better Texas Hippie Coaltion, better all around, with more depth to their song writing and arrangements. Peacemaker is a solid album and easily recommended.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]