Eat The Gun Use Every Rock Cliche' In The Book For 'Howlinwood'

I am always pretty wary of record company recommendations that state that their latest offering features high energy catchy songs, etc. My method usually consists of ignoring all the accompanying press and playing the first minute or so of each track before starting again with my favourites and working through them fully, track by track. However, that was all about to change.

‘Howlinwood’ is the fifth studio album from the hard rocking trio Eat the Gun.  Formed in 2002 they released their debut studio album ‘Cross Your Fingers’ in 2006, followed in 2009 by ‘Super Pursuit Mode Aggressive Thrash Distortion’. The band’s third album, ‘Runner’ was hit the top 20 of the American college radio charts in 2011. After signing to SPV they changed the way they wrote and recorded song and released the much acclaimed ‘Stripped to the Bone’ album.

Right from the title track ‘Howlinwood’ the listener is grabbed by an addictive opening riff that leads you into an all American muscle car of a tune. It’s a rock masterpiece that grows on you on its second or third listen.  And it doesn’t stop there... 'Falling’ follows with the same high octane energy with a great solo too boot. Fantastic openers to what is a great album

The Third track ‘How Does It Feel’ is set for release as the first single on July 24^th. However I can’t help thinking that this is a mistake due to the song being very similar in sound to a Red Hot Chili Peppers tune. There are plenty of other tracks they could have chosen as an introduction to this album and to be compared as a sound-alike tune may do the album more harm than good.

My favourite track however has to be rock ballad ‘Old Friend of Mine’ it’s a great track that seems instantly recognisable.  That’s because Eat The Gun use every rock balled cliché in the book, and it works.

There is certainly a pattern that follows through each of the albums eleven tracks. I’m beginning to see influences from a number of rock greats... Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Knickelback, even The Offspring in places. And it’s not a bad thing.

The album is due for release on August 28^th. Give it a go, it doesn’t disappoint.

To find out more about Eat the Gun click here.

To visit the Eat The Gun Facebook page click here.

Words by Lawrence Taylor

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