NINE POUND HAMMER swung its first swing four decades ago as BLACK SHEEP, and – aside from a brief stint when guitarist Blaine Cartwright and vocalist Scott Luallen were abducted by Van Aliens from the galaxy of Hillbillicus TNT in order that they might bring their snotnosed, beer drankin’, Hellraisin’ country/punk hybrid to the sextraterrestrial masses – have been at it ever since.
Too Outlaw For Outlaw Country continues the spread the gospel of giddyup, the title track already kicking on its way out of the chute, so best we just try to hang on for the ride and not get gored or trampled, huh? A boom-chicka-boom rhythm ala THE TENNESSEE THREE instantly makes you reach for your Skoal can, Bible, and Bud Light, not necessarily in that order, the lyrics unashamed to drop names on the Bro-Country morons (and moronettes) choking the balls off of Lower Broadway in Nashville these days.
‘Burn The Whole World Down’ turns the fatalists and doom-callers out on their ass. Yeah, we know the world’s going to/gone to crap (or Alabama) in a handbasket, but for shit’s sake it’s a pretty cool place sometimes, so let’s wring out and hold on to all the good times we got left. Swampy and syrupy like sweet, sweet honey ‘shine from a fruit jar, ‘Black Rose’ is Southern rock like only people born beneath the Mason – Dixon line (and John Fogerty) can do it.
Conjuring the ghost of Merle Haggard from hooch-filled hollow stump in some Kentucky marsh, ‘Tonight I Let The Bottle Down’ is a necessary and life-saving kiss-off to alcoholism that coulda kept a lot of the great ones awhile around a little longer. Ending with the barnstorming ‘Little Ole Wine Drinker Me’, Too Outlaw For Outlaw Country finally throws us off its back and into the dust, fatigued, hungover or on the way, but somehow, ready to get back on the bull for another ride.
Review By: Lord Randall
NINE POUND HAMMER
Too Outlaw For Outlaw Country [MLP]
Reptilian Records