The Pretty Blue Guns want you to "Shed Your Skin"
What makes this album truly remarkable was that it was made in only six day, holy flippin moly, and the guys pretty much did it all themselves. Perhaps because of this rather limited timeframe, the songs retain a true gritty simplicity free from over-production and any extra bells and whistles. Exactly how it should be.
The first track, Shed Your Skin, immediately introduces the listener to what The Pretty Blue Guns and their latest album are all about. With its drawly vocals and fast-paced guitar one is immediately transported to a smokey bar, whiskey in hand and hair whipping around your face.
Skin Tights' Knife Fight, my fav track on this album, slowly and menacingly builds into great rough crashy chorus; can't wait to see and dance to this live. Very Taxi Violence-ish.
Mockybird, influenced by the nursery song of the same name, transports this cute little song to a whole new darker, drenched in gasoline, level. Someone strike a match.
I am somewhat in two minds about the next track, Misery, which features some hauntingly beautiful lap-steel playing, but I don't really like the vocals on this - far too country country for my taste.
The Ride, guesting the talented Mandi Lizamore, is a classic lady/man duet. Mandi's sweet and pure voice perfectly complements Andre's rougher growl.
Stability, with its rockabilly guitar and harmonies, is impossible not to feel in your feet and soul.
My main criticism of this album is that the songs do begin to sound a little samey after a while; there is not much deviation from the hard rough rockabilly sound. That said, they do that sound very well and obviously stick to what they know and do best.
Yo SA music scene, shift up a little and let The Pretty Blue Guns take their rightful place.
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