TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION
I freely admit that when I picked this CD up off my review pile and saw that the band had labelled themselves ‘Red Dirt Metal’ I thought “not another sub-genre to worry about” but, do you know what, it’s about as damn near perfect a description of Texas Hippie Coalition’s sound as you are likely to get! ‘Peacemaker’ is THC’s third album (I have heard the name before but until now had not heard any of their music) and it is a glorious combination of Black Label Society, ZZ Top, Pantera, Monster Magnet, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet. If you listen deeply enough you will also hear the essence of Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash as well. THC manage to evoke the classic Southern sound whilst being distinct and modern enough to move the genre forward, hence why the moniker ‘Red Dirt Metal’ is so right for them.
If you like throwing BBQs or outdoor parties then this album would be the perfect soundtrack whilst devouring a good steak (of course vegetarians are allowed to join in too!) and cracking open a few beers, even more so if you’re wearing cowboy boots and a ten gallon hat whilst the sun sets slowly over the horizon but it would have to be played LOUD! Man mountain and vocalist ‘Big Dad Ritch’ has an awesome set of pipes and together with the rest of the band, Wes Wallace (Guitar), John Exell (Bass), Timmy Braun (Drums), and producer ‘Bob Marlette (Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper) has created an album and sound that could probably drop a buffalo at twenty paces! Of course, I should also mention Randy Cooper (Guitar) who has recently had to undergo surgery on his arm and at present is unable to play.
Ok, so the songs and lyrics aren’t complicated; they all follow roughly the same formula and you certainly don’t have to think too hard when listening, but ‘Peacemaker’ is such an insanely catchy album that it just puts a huge grin on your face from beginning to end and surely that’s what matters most when listening to music like this? Standout tracks are ‘Hands Up’, ‘Wicked’, ‘Outlaw’ and... hell, who am I kidding, there isn’t a duff track on this album and after I’ve finished writing this and have listened to ‘Peacemaker’ for the umpteenth time I fully intend to get hold of THC’s first two albums, ‘The Pride of Texas’ and ‘Rollin’, and then go and dust off my BBQ. If you were worried that all good Southern Rock was being released by bands in the twilight of their careers then think again because Texas Hippie Coalition are here to prove you wrong!
If you like throwing BBQs or outdoor parties then this album would be the perfect soundtrack whilst devouring a good steak (of course vegetarians are allowed to join in too!) and cracking open a few beers, even more so if you’re wearing cowboy boots and a ten gallon hat whilst the sun sets slowly over the horizon but it would have to be played LOUD! Man mountain and vocalist ‘Big Dad Ritch’ has an awesome set of pipes and together with the rest of the band, Wes Wallace (Guitar), John Exell (Bass), Timmy Braun (Drums), and producer ‘Bob Marlette (Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper) has created an album and sound that could probably drop a buffalo at twenty paces! Of course, I should also mention Randy Cooper (Guitar) who has recently had to undergo surgery on his arm and at present is unable to play.
Ok, so the songs and lyrics aren’t complicated; they all follow roughly the same formula and you certainly don’t have to think too hard when listening, but ‘Peacemaker’ is such an insanely catchy album that it just puts a huge grin on your face from beginning to end and surely that’s what matters most when listening to music like this? Standout tracks are ‘Hands Up’, ‘Wicked’, ‘Outlaw’ and... hell, who am I kidding, there isn’t a duff track on this album and after I’ve finished writing this and have listened to ‘Peacemaker’ for the umpteenth time I fully intend to get hold of THC’s first two albums, ‘The Pride of Texas’ and ‘Rollin’, and then go and dust off my BBQ. If you were worried that all good Southern Rock was being released by bands in the twilight of their careers then think again because Texas Hippie Coalition are here to prove you wrong!
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Carved Records
Album
PEACEMAKER
Review by Rick Tilley
RUNNING TIME:
42:43
RELEASE DATE:
15th Oct 2012
TRACK LISTING
1) Hands Up
2) Damn You to Hell
3) 8 Seconds
4) Outlaw
5) Turn It Up
6) Wicked
7) Don't Come Lookin'
8) Sex & Drugs & Rock and Roll
9) Paw Paw Hill
10) Peacemaker
11) Think of Me
2) Damn You to Hell
3) 8 Seconds
4) Outlaw
5) Turn It Up
6) Wicked
7) Don't Come Lookin'
8) Sex & Drugs & Rock and Roll
9) Paw Paw Hill
10) Peacemaker
11) Think of Me
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
USA
"If you were worried that all good Southern Rock was being released by bands in the twilight of their careers then think again because Texas Hippie Coalition are here to prove you wrong!"
