Lyrical cliches abound, but the tunes are solid, the guitarwork and solos are spot-on, and the addition of keyboards adds a new depth to the dark bar rock.
This Portland, ME band has style, chops, some studio trickery, and lots of heart. And heart can’t be taught or faked, you either got it or you don’t, and these fuckers got it.
At only 21, Zach Condon has managed to wield exotic foreign traits, and utilize them in proportionately written, wonderfully executed, heart-wrenching songs.
The Jesus Lizard was rhythmic, sweaty, loud, and sexual. Singer David Yow gyrates, howls, and flails, molesting the audience at every available opportunity.
Elvis of the North, Roy Orbison of Sheffield, British Frank Sinatra – but there’s no mistaking Richard Hawley’s voice. Hit ’em and leave ’em wanting more.
Where last year’s Down In Albion gave a medicine-headed snapshot of the singer’s opiate use, Shotter’s Nation has a clarity and energy that the former lacked.