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To say I’m familiar with Birmingham based band
Rattlesnake Remedy would be quite an understatement as I have seen them
over half a dozen times now, (and have another two show by the band
already scheduled for later this year) and each time I have been impressed with
their infectious rock n' roll and exuberant stage performances, so when
this CD arrived on my desk the other day I was delighted to give this
album its praise due.
The album opens up with ‘Black Sheep Fiddle’, a live
favourite of mine and although the album version doesn’t do the live
version justice, it still captures the whole classic rock vibe of the band.
Things soon get under way with the Slash style guitars from Ben Bartlett, then
those spine tingling vocals of Lee Stone really set the track alive and
from then on in things just progress into a rock n' roll maelstrom of
infectious grooves.
Then it's time for the bands debut single ‘Don’t
Drag Me Down’, another real balls to the wall rocker before things slow
down with the excellent ‘Free To Feel’. A track where the band show their
tender side while still retaining that classic rock feel.
Next it's time to get down to some old fashioned southern
blues with ‘Payin’ My Dues’ complete with Stone on harmonica, before thing
get back to the rockier stuff with one of my favourites from the band
‘Reach For The Line’. A real boogie infusing track that reminds me of
something Love Hate would do, as Stone has the same vocal qualities of Jizzy Pearl at times.
'Killing Time' is another awesome track that starts
slowly but builds into quite an impressive piece of rock n roll fortissimo,
with those dirty riff laden guitars of Bartlett and Mark Buckler.
Things slow down once again with ‘Angels Eyes’
another great track. To be honest there isn’t a bad track on the entire
album. Another favourite of mine by the band is the next track ‘Nothing
Right’, a track that reminds me of early Quireboys mixed with some Bon
Scott AC/DC.
‘Falling Away’ is a great hard rock track that has
that Velvet Revolver feel to it. A no holds barred rocker of the highest
calibre.
The band are determined to defy definition with
this album as once again the whole tempo changes as the 70’s feel of
‘Freestyle’, with its Hendrix style guitars and Voodoo Chile flow to it.
The title track ‘Magic Man’ brings you right back
to the now with its thumping intro and slung low guitar feel a real cowboy
style rocker that paves the way nicely to the final track ‘Don’t Say
Goodbye’, a semi acoustic number with just Stone and guitars and one that
rounds off a quite superb release.
The album
itself is great but if you really want to hear the band in all their glory
you should check out their live shows as these guys give 110% on stage. |
