THE LEGENDARY SHACK SHAKERS
Believe (Yep Roc)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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"Where's the devil when you need him, anyway," ask The Legendary Shack Shakers on their new album, Believe. But even a casual listen to "County of Graves," "Piss and Vinegar," "Cussin' In Tongues" and especially "Bible Cyst" makes it clear they know right where he's at and probably have him on speed dial. This band operates about 40 degrees hotter than most, with a layer of distortion that enhances the power of their blues-based rock attack. The punches are so brutal you're left dizzy and unprepared for the bizarre curve ball called "The Pony To Bet On." It's a back-porch hillbilly tune twisted into something else altogether by the reverbed atmosphere and the clucking chickens. Clucking chickens! Just when you start to figure out where the footholds are in that weird little world, the scene changes to the high-speed rockin' harmonica rave-up of "Fistwhistle Boogie." Where's the devil? Probably hanging out with the wimpy metal posers who aren't as scary as the Shack Shakers.

© 2004 - DJ Johnson