As a compilation, this CD flits back and forth between various styles without any real overall trend. Similarly, the recording quality is quite mixed, unfortunately the a messy hi-hat sound (like a badly compressed mp3) and the lack of a solid bottom end (double-bass and kick drum) are common themes. The vocals and guitar sound very nice, though.
Starting with the duo of Big Sky and Baddest of the Bad is the perfect intro; the former oozing with spaghetti western style, leading into headbanging psychobilly with great lyrics.
Wiggle Stick is a great "stroller" song with a dirty, sleazy edge. Perfect grinding music! I wish it weren't so distorted, but I guess this is part of the style.
The band are in their element for Big Red Rocket of Love, the perfect combination of rockabilly and psychobilly with fantastic energy and style. 400 Bucks is more straight psychobilly, which would be perfect for a moshpit. Sitting here chin-scratching in an armchair probably doesn't do it justice, but the lyrics are so passionately vehement yet amusing at the same time. It made me feel like a naughty kid trying not to break out laughing because he's made his parents so angry!
Lie Detector goes further into cock-rock territory. The poor recording quality of the double bass is most obvious here, because the bass laying the foundations of the groove is sorely missed. The groove itself, though, is fantastic. Great headbanging stuff. Similarly, Jimbo is pretty mindless psychobilly- that's both a criticism and a compliment...
Bales of Cocaine is an amusing treat, a song in the early rockabilly style telling the tale of an accidental druglord. The final track is a terribly messed up version of Scott Joplin's The Entertainer. Terrible in a good way- it's clearly the result of a drunken session in the studio which is quite amusing. Also, it features the crispest recordings of burps I have ever heard!
Bath-water Blues is a bit of an interlude- a solo guitar song heavily inspired by Chet Atkins. Although technically a blues, it's quick tempo and whimsical lyrics make it more a lighthearted interlude than a typical blues song. An interesting listen.
The cover of Fulsom Prison Blues is competent, but nothing compares to the orginial version from the master, Mr Cash.
This post is getting very TLDR, so I'll skip to my favourite songs...
Baby I'm Drunk is also a long way from psychobilly. I find the lighthearted style perfectly suits the terrific drunken blitherings ("I'll explain in the morning, 'cos the kitchen bright's too light"). Silly fun.
The heartbreak blues Where in the Hell Did You Go With My Toothbrush ebbs and flows wonderfully. It does this to match the great lyrics, which spontaneously switch from despondant to furious, and vice-versa.
Crank up the sleaze to eleven for One Time For Me, Love Whip and In Your Wildest Dreams. Love Whip works well as either a serious sleaze-fest or tongue-in-cheek, it's up to you! However, there's no mistaking the highly explicit lyrics of One Time For Me, perfectly nailing (oops, poor choice of words there!) the peepshow psychobilly style. While I feel it would benefit from a slower tempo, that main riff is genius. In Your Wildest Dreams sees the Reverend channelling Barry Manilow. So cheesy. So good. There is no mistaking the ego and innuendo of "I'll see you... in your wildest dreams"!
My last favourite (aside from those on Lucky 7) is Big Little Baby. This furiously fast rock'n'roll is perfect for bouncin' around like a madman. Even when you're in your living room and meant to be chin stratching! While there are many aspects to The Reverend Horton Heat's style, this rock'n'roll on steriods is one of my favourites.
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