REVEREND HORTON HEAT
Revival (Yep Roc Records)
Reviewed by Holly Day

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The Reverend Horton Heat is back with a brand new CD, and boy, is it a keeper (and I don't say that much these days)! His characteristic mix of punk, rockabilly, country, surf guitar, and even the little-seen Reverend Horton Heat romantic croon are all here, but - and perhaps this is what the record's title alludes to - there's an almost palpable vitality on this album that hasn't been heard in the Rev's music for a long time. While the subject matter of these songs is consistent with the rest of the Rev's repertoire, women, drinking, rockin' out and acting brain-damaged in public, there's this little added something - dare I say "umph"? - to these songs that'll keep these songs rattling in your brain long after the record's done. Also included is a DVD of three live performances as well as an interview/walking tour of the Deep Ellum district of Dallas, where the Rev got his start.

© 2004 - Holly Day