Here lies the all out swingfest. I am a sucker for a good 'ol Southwestern groove record, and this is that slab that makes me think of grits, eggs cooked in bacon grease, and beer before lunchtime. HOGNOSE are veterans of the southern metal scene, and with song titles like "Weedbilly", and "Warren Oates" they show no signs of pussing out anytime soon. They use the flow of the tunes and the scratchy-yet-soulful vocals to make it seem like they didn't actually sit down to craft these songs, they just happened. They take the best of FIVE HORSE JOHNSON and BAD WIZARD and add a little ZZ TOP and CUDA just for spite. The artwork is just as no-frills as the band, with nothing but song titles and some pic of a pig in a gun belt, smoking a cigar and wearing sunglasses. Do you remember the movie "Porky's"? Kinda like that, but sleazier. The twin guitar blasts go from double leads to lead harmony playoffs in ways more seamless than good sheet rock.

If you listen to tracks like "Muffin", a softer instrumental, the band shows that it can be more versatile than your typical three-chord boogie outfit. The boys crash into the scorching "El Chamuco" with a Texas summer sound that will get you looking for a tall cold one. Everything here is slightly tongue-in-cheek, but there is nothing cheeky about the grooves that these four guys lay down, check 'em out at the link below. Guys, if you make it out to the east coast this summer, I'll buy you a round.

- Murtaugh

OFFICIAL SITE: www.hognose.net

MP3 SOUND SCRAP: The First Song

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