A few months back, Pappy introduced me to a CD that completely rocked my world; Horsepower! Horsepower! by Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops. Upon listening, I understood quickly why Pappy is so passionate about this album. Now, Skinny Jim has put out his follow up, Daredevil Action. I have had this album for a few weeks and with it being made available on iTunes this week I figured this was the perfect time to give it my own review.
Skinny Jim and the Number 9 Blacktops is a Rock n Roll trio from southern IL whose unique sound is a reminiscent of original American Rockabilly. Horsepower! Horsepower! set the tone with its Rockabilly licks and a tempo charged up on diesel fuel. Daredevil Action takes their sound from the starting line and and moves it forward at full speed.
On a first listen to the album, Daredevil Action sends your heart racing. It is next to impossible to keep your toes from tapping. The first track, 57 Dragstip, is like mainlining Red Bull and hitting the open road with the windows down. The album shoots you down this road at break-neck speed without ever letting up.
One thing that really grabs me about this album is it's style; it is Rock n' Roll at its core, but also Rockabilly for today. Rockabilly recently has become an abused term. In today's culture, anyone with an upright bass seems to be dubbed Rockabilly regardless of the music. Daredevil Action is genuine Rockabilly and beyond- it is Rock n Roll that draws all the influences at the roots of Rockabilly's emergence onto the music scene. The music makes me think back to the fantastic guitar movie; Crossroads. In the end of the movie there is a statement about needing to take the music further. That is exactly what Skinny Jim did here.
With the vocals choked up on Crown and Coke, a bass line that keeps you moving and guitar work that will drop your jaw, this album brings you into the world of hot rods and motorcycles. I have never heard of the stuntman Bubba Blackwell, but after listening to the track named after him, I felt like I just walked away from one of his shows.
A good album, gives you music you can enjoy. A great album gets into your mind and doesn't leave. An unforgettable album transforms you to another world. This is one of those. It leaves you with grease under your fingernails and makes you feel like you just pulled off the dragstrip.
Now, to make this review more typical let’s get to the basics. The recording and production is absolutely top notch. The album captures the true essence of a live show. Jim's tone, which he gets through his Gretsch is amazing. I really struggle to find any negative with this album. However I do have one, and only one, complaint. Simply that the album is too short. Clocking in at around a half hour I find myself wishing the ride the album took me on would continue. However, this disc is also one that you can listen to over and over without getting bored. so you want it to last for an hour, just play it twice!
If you are looking for an album that is truly original and truly makes you remember what a great album is, pick this up! I typically ad a caveat to any review I do that this is not for everyone...but here I am leaving that off, if you like Rock n Roll, you will love this album!
www.myspace.com/SkinnyJimRocks
Talk Hard! Play Harder!
-Pipes
1 comments:
Nice review. Can't wait for my copy to arrive.
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