You may remember all the hubbub associated with the recent release of Chickenfoot’s album. A lot of guitar bloggers, being guitar players, were very excited to see the band that consisted of half of Van Halen, one fourth Red Hot Chili Peppers and one whole Joe Satriani. They were more than happy to share that excitement and post any and all updates on the progress of the album for the world to enjoy.
I wasn’t very excited though. I was excited to hear at least one song and when I did hear that song, I wasn’t really interested to hear any more. I guess it just isn’t my kind of music.
But I was a little bummed that I didn’t have that album that I’m so excited about that I would write about it here. Where was MY Chickenfoot album?
On the 21st I opened my email and saw where it was. It’s in the can right now, but set to be released on the first of September.
The album? Laughin’ And Cryin’ With The Reverend Horton Heat.
There are few guarantees in life, but here’s a few of my own: if a new season of the Simpsons or Family Guy comes out, I’ll buy it. And if a new Reverend Horton Heat CD comes out, I’ll buy that too.
For those of you who don’t know, you are missing out. The Reverend Horton Heat, led by guitarist/singer Jim Heath is a band that transcends genres, and, while it certainly is rooted in classic styles is more than willing to shake those roots for a little while.
In an interview, Jim Heath said that he knew an artist who always used popsicle sticks in everything he did. No matter what, those sticks would be there. He went on to say that the lesson is used in the RHH and no matter what there’s always going to be these core things and sounds, the popsicle sticks, but he is always experimenting and is NEVER satisfied to just sit back and write song after similar-sounding song. He’s progress incarnate.
And I am a HUGE fan.
His guitar work is absolutely stunning to watch and it never interferes with the quality of the song. Sometimes the song takes a back seat to the guitar player who wants to show off. This doesn’t happen with the Rev. The song is the first thing and showing off second. Some of the instrumentals he writes will blow your mind. Check out the song Show Pony from Lucky 7 is you don’t believe me.
So what do I know about this album? Not much more than what Yep Roc Records released but that’s OK because it doesn’t really matter to me. But what about you?
Well, first off, September is a long way off, so if you haven’t heard the Rev and have any faith at ALL in the 5th Fret or my opinion specifically, go to Amazon and pick up a copy of Holy Roller. Holy Roller is a good sampler of the stuff the Rev did back when he was on Sub Pop Records and it’s filled with great songs from front to back. There are fast songs, slow songs, funny songs, serious songs, and as far as a handshake, it’s the best way to get the gist of the Rev.
After that, if you’re after more, check out the album Spend A Night In The Box which has hands down the most amazing tone I’ve ever heard recorded. I don’t usually pay attention to tone per se, but when I started listening to this one I instantly took notice. I love it. To this day, this is probably my favorite Rev album.
Still want more? No problem. Check out the albums Lucky 7 and Full Custom Gospel Sounds. I’d say that within these four albums you would have a good collection of the Rev and be ready for this new release.
Speaking of this new release, kudos to Yep Roc for making a special edition that seems truly “special.” It comes in a speedometer shell with the face of the speedometer being the actual CD and also included in this is a CD of covers from other bands – great bands like Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers and Los Staitjackets – that can only be bought in this set and a shot glass as well.
So yeah, kudos to Yep Roc, but I’m not a big shot glass kind of guy and I definitely want a normal CD case because I’ll be moving often and don’t want to have to worry about crushing an odd-shaped case in the assorted moves. Unfortunately, this means I don’t get the extra cover CD which kind of bugs me as I’m a big fan of that kind of stuff. I like covers in general and the idea of Rev songs covered by great bands like Th’ Shack Shakers? Ah, it breaks my heart I can’t partake in that.
Yep Roc, I’m all for including this as a bonus, but please reconsider releasing it on its own, maybe down the road. I would buy it on its own, no problem at all.
The deluxe set is $49.99 for the pre-order and is limited to only 1,000 so if you think this sounds cool, you may not want to put off pre-ordering.
As for me, I’ll stick to the cheaper regular edition and hope that Yep Roc considers releasing the cover CD on its own later on.
Once it comes out, I’ll post more about it. Until then, I’m really excited for this. It’s been a long time since the last non-Christmas RHH album came out and I’ve been jonesing for some new songs.
And since this is a site that has a soft spot for Gretsch Guitars, we will most definitely be talking about Jim Heath's signature guitar very soon. Stay tuned.
-Pappy
I wasn’t very excited though. I was excited to hear at least one song and when I did hear that song, I wasn’t really interested to hear any more. I guess it just isn’t my kind of music.
But I was a little bummed that I didn’t have that album that I’m so excited about that I would write about it here. Where was MY Chickenfoot album?
On the 21st I opened my email and saw where it was. It’s in the can right now, but set to be released on the first of September.
The album? Laughin’ And Cryin’ With The Reverend Horton Heat.
There are few guarantees in life, but here’s a few of my own: if a new season of the Simpsons or Family Guy comes out, I’ll buy it. And if a new Reverend Horton Heat CD comes out, I’ll buy that too.
For those of you who don’t know, you are missing out. The Reverend Horton Heat, led by guitarist/singer Jim Heath is a band that transcends genres, and, while it certainly is rooted in classic styles is more than willing to shake those roots for a little while.
In an interview, Jim Heath said that he knew an artist who always used popsicle sticks in everything he did. No matter what, those sticks would be there. He went on to say that the lesson is used in the RHH and no matter what there’s always going to be these core things and sounds, the popsicle sticks, but he is always experimenting and is NEVER satisfied to just sit back and write song after similar-sounding song. He’s progress incarnate.
And I am a HUGE fan.
His guitar work is absolutely stunning to watch and it never interferes with the quality of the song. Sometimes the song takes a back seat to the guitar player who wants to show off. This doesn’t happen with the Rev. The song is the first thing and showing off second. Some of the instrumentals he writes will blow your mind. Check out the song Show Pony from Lucky 7 is you don’t believe me.
So what do I know about this album? Not much more than what Yep Roc Records released but that’s OK because it doesn’t really matter to me. But what about you?
Well, first off, September is a long way off, so if you haven’t heard the Rev and have any faith at ALL in the 5th Fret or my opinion specifically, go to Amazon and pick up a copy of Holy Roller. Holy Roller is a good sampler of the stuff the Rev did back when he was on Sub Pop Records and it’s filled with great songs from front to back. There are fast songs, slow songs, funny songs, serious songs, and as far as a handshake, it’s the best way to get the gist of the Rev.
After that, if you’re after more, check out the album Spend A Night In The Box which has hands down the most amazing tone I’ve ever heard recorded. I don’t usually pay attention to tone per se, but when I started listening to this one I instantly took notice. I love it. To this day, this is probably my favorite Rev album.
Still want more? No problem. Check out the albums Lucky 7 and Full Custom Gospel Sounds. I’d say that within these four albums you would have a good collection of the Rev and be ready for this new release.
Speaking of this new release, kudos to Yep Roc for making a special edition that seems truly “special.” It comes in a speedometer shell with the face of the speedometer being the actual CD and also included in this is a CD of covers from other bands – great bands like Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers and Los Staitjackets – that can only be bought in this set and a shot glass as well.
So yeah, kudos to Yep Roc, but I’m not a big shot glass kind of guy and I definitely want a normal CD case because I’ll be moving often and don’t want to have to worry about crushing an odd-shaped case in the assorted moves. Unfortunately, this means I don’t get the extra cover CD which kind of bugs me as I’m a big fan of that kind of stuff. I like covers in general and the idea of Rev songs covered by great bands like Th’ Shack Shakers? Ah, it breaks my heart I can’t partake in that.
Yep Roc, I’m all for including this as a bonus, but please reconsider releasing it on its own, maybe down the road. I would buy it on its own, no problem at all.
The deluxe set is $49.99 for the pre-order and is limited to only 1,000 so if you think this sounds cool, you may not want to put off pre-ordering.
As for me, I’ll stick to the cheaper regular edition and hope that Yep Roc considers releasing the cover CD on its own later on.
Once it comes out, I’ll post more about it. Until then, I’m really excited for this. It’s been a long time since the last non-Christmas RHH album came out and I’ve been jonesing for some new songs.
And since this is a site that has a soft spot for Gretsch Guitars, we will most definitely be talking about Jim Heath's signature guitar very soon. Stay tuned.
-Pappy
Edit For Follow Up: If you go here: http://www.yeproc.com/news.php?articleId=6209 you can listen to samples from the new album. WELL worth checking out as is his whole catalog. Now that it's out there for the world to hear anyway, I guess I don't have to write a review of it once it comes out but I'm still satisfied that I could push this out a little more to people that may not be hip to the Rev's jive.
And we will STILL be covering his signature guitar very soon.
-P.
2 comments:
Hi Pappy!,
In my life there are certain " go to albums" that always turn it up for. RHH is one of them. No matter what one may decide to listen to from RHH , it is certain to open a slice of life. Galaxie 500 always gets to me, there are many more. And I sit with my GreTsch and try real hard to get even close to the the guitar artistry that Jim Heath lays down. Yeah I'm gonna pre-order cause I am stayin' where I am. And yeah my main GAS is to own a GreTsch RHH. As always thank you.
My pleasure. I'm glad you like it.
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