Don the nearest Stetson, grab a map and plan a desert-crossing adventure, Monster Truck are ‘Sittin’ Heavy’ behind the wheel.
Ironically, the Canadian outfit know their genre inside-out, including its groove-laden connections to the southern states of the US. Good old rock ‘n’ roll isn’t a hard concept to grasp, but it’s a tricky one to master, yet the hands of Jon Harvey et al make it appear effortless. As corny as their name may be, stick with them, because you’re guaranteed to be taken on a rocking balls-to-the-wall rodeo.
Establishing a gritty rock ‘n’ roll ethos, opener ‘Why Are You Not Rocking?’ sets a fine pace. Meanwhile, a cleverly-crafted melody drives every element of ‘Don’t Tell Me How To Live’, brimming with electric vitality and independence. As you’d expect, there’s smooth, undeniable American themes throughout. ‘Black Forest’ emerges as laid back and bereft as a late night crawl to a grungy motel in the middle of nowhere, while ‘Things Get Better’ projects itself with road trip-ready swagger and the ice hockey vengeance of ‘The Enforcer’.
Speaking of an irresistibly dangerous female, ticking a generic classic rock box in record time, ‘She’s A Witch’ showcases punchy, raspy vocals from to echo the golden days of rock. In contrast, the protective ‘New Soul’ hopes for an exclamation of love, calling out, “Wrap your arms around me now and never let me go.”
While ‘For The People’ and ‘Another Man’s Shoes’ may at first appear repetitive, their familiarity and biker-esque solidarity prove comforting as opposed to grating. Turning these misfires on their heads, suitably slow swansong ‘Enjoy The Time’ is stylistically gorgeous, suavely pouring its farewell through a captivating solo and a chant-along close.
While it may feel like rock ‘n’ roll has been done to death, there’s no harm in discovering Monster Truck’s ability to make it all seem as easy as a bucking bronco as long as you’re ‘Sittin’ Heavy’.
4/5
’Sittin’ Heavy’ by Monster Truck is out now on Mascot Records.
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Words by Ali Cooper (@AliZombie_)
