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Album Details

• Artist: The Heart Attacks
• Album: Hellbound & Heartless
• Label: Hellcat
• Year of Release: 2006
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dadair on 2006-11-14

Winding Austin, Texas based rock N' roll aches like The New York Dolls, The Troggs and The Stooges, oozing out garage rock feistiness and lurid punch. 'Eyes', with its throaty backing vocal push reaches a rip-roaring groove with ease and the coasting 70s riffs simply put the number into cruise control. 'Guilty' nudges the sound towards a winding AC/DC instrumental platform and the vocals of Chris Hodge, are forcefully pushed, like he is thrusting them into the heads of his enemies to give off some good old attitude. The ex-Sixteen Deluxe guitarist Chris Smith, earns his corn in tracks like 'Widowmaking' providing the stripped down guitar push to send the track soaring. The production of Lars Frederiksen is an obvious directional influence, as you can tell that he has played his part in conjuring a cocky strut, also adding the odd atmospheric touch to keep you on your toes. Of course, it wouldn't retro R N' R if there wasn't a song about living fast and to the limit, but 'Fast Times Attached' is not a token offering. Hodge's throaty and life bearing bellows give the song life and an inhibition releasing quality, reaching screeching point at times just to re-iterate their laboured point. 'Hellbound and Heartless' slows things down for a release of bemusement and bewilderment, as once again Chris Smith controls the tempo with his guitar prowess. This slow it down theme continues into the bracing, acoustic dominated title track to provide a contrast to the normal whirlwind tempo they keep up. The Heart Attacks not so much wear their influences on their sleeve, but tattoo them all over with unashamed pride.

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