MONSTER TRUCK

Earlier this year saw the release of 'Earth Blues' from Sweden's hegemonic stoner merchants Spiritual Beggars, a groovy bastard of an album and one where the Scandinavian's retro underpinnings and general stoner vibe were posited within the context of a more up-tempo, energetic impetus. A few months on and we have the debut full-length offering from Canada's Monster Truck and, as with the Beggars, they too have made an album chock-full of classic rock stylings moulded around a faster-paced stoner essence. Well, there's a sporadicity of mid and down-tempo exceptions thrown into the mix but 'Furiosity' is predominantly propelled forth by an inescapably infectious and hook-fuelled up-tempo energy. And, also like the Beggars, the execution of their compositions is rooted in grooves galore, flavoured throughout with a pounding stoner resonance. Frontman Jon Harvey has a voice ever so apt for the band's adopted generic stylings, similar in delivery, tonality and phrasing to one-time Beggars singer (and Grand Magus frontman) Janne "JB" Christoffersson so that adds even more authenticity and conviction to their retro pastiche. And never has a band name (albeit a little on the cheesy side, I'm sure, for some peeps' proclivities) been so apt and indicative of the music for the huge, crushing sound created by this quartet of hairy, bearded rockers is the sonic equivalent of their namesake vehicle and surely a soundtrack in waiting for Monster Jam. 'Furiosity' is quality through and through with not an ounce of fat or filler, just unmitigated retro rock/metal bliss spiced with a stoner significance. And considering this is only the Canadians' debut, that makes it even more impressive.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Dine Alone

Album

FURIOSITY

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

45:52

RELEASE DATE:

27th May 2013

TRACK LISTING

1) Old Train
2) The Lion
3) Power of the People
4) Sweet Mountain River
5) Psychics
6) Oh Lord
7) For the Sun
8) Boogie
9) Undercover Love
10) The Giant
11) Call it a Spade; 12) My Love is True

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Canada

"...the execution of their compositions is rooted in grooves galore, flavoured throughout with a pounding stoner resonance."