THROTTLEROD – “Nail” CD ’06 (Small Stone, US) – I honestly think that one of the most difficult things for a band to do is follow up a critically-acclaimed record. We’ve seen it a million times, the temptation is oh-so great to try to replicate, to “give ‘em what they want,” that is a clone of the album everybody loved. Lots of bands do it, most in fact and too often the result is a watered-down copy. You know, “For Those About To Rock, We Xerox You.” But once in a blue moon, you have an artist who throws all caution to the four winds & moves in a completely different direction, opening new doors & evolving, yet still keeping their essence alive.
One of the greatest & bravest examples ever, I think, is Zeppelin following the world-slaying behemoth riff machine of “II” with the largely acoustic, pastoral “III.” Virginia’s THROTTLEROD impresses the hell out of me with the same spirit of creativity here, albeit handled a little differently. 2003’s “Hell & High Water” was a landmark testimony of hard rock. Laced with melody, bluesiness & a dusty western vibe, it married kick-ass riffs to funky rhythms in “Marigold,” poured out an almost Black Crowes vibe on “Across Town” & made you think of the best Neil Young/Crazy Horse on “Honest Joe.”
Well, if “Hell & High Water” was the tale of heavy rawk from the pulpit of a ranch in Wyoming, then “Nail” brings it right between the eyes from the urban wasteland of broken glass, dark alleys & storm drains. Pared down to a trio here (Matt Whitehead – guitar & vox; Chris Sundstrom – bass; Kevin White – drums….guitarist Bo Leslie has left the fold), THROTTLEROD take a massively more metal/punk approach on this record. And, just as it’s predecessor’s bluesy vibe did, it works in spades. From the opening “Prizefighter” on, Whitehead’s Gibson-thru-Marshall pillaging crushes & interestingly, he brings in some off-beat chording that calls to mind the late Piggy of Voivod. His vocals howl with a new desperation & searing leads like the one in “Horse Paw” will clean your ears out more than just a little.
Meantime, Sundstrom & White lock into a big damn truck rhythm, both adding frills & dark flourishes that have the word “organic” written all over ‘em. In fact, check out the last couple songs, “Teething” & “Indian Head.” If the instrumental breaks in those don’t make you think of Mark, Don & Mel rampaging through “Into The Sun” on “Grand Funk Live,” you need a history lesson. A total clinic in how a band can evolve & play it anything BUT safe, “Nail” is an easy early contender for the Best of 2006. |
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