Five Horse Johnson - The Mystery Spot
- Released: 2006
- Label: Small Stone Recordings
- Rating:
The first promo package I ever received from Small Stone, consisted of CDs from Fireball Ministry, Halfway to Gone and Five Horse Johnson. I immediately fell so in love with the first two, that the latter never really was given a chance. Sure, I liked what I heard, but nothing about No. 6 Dance really stood out enough to make me choose listening to it over another CD.
Maybe it’s that pre-existing bias that keeps me from getting too excited about their latest release The Mystery Spot. I listen to the CD, and I know I like what I hear – it sounds like the type of music I like. The thing is it sounds like a hundred other CDs I already have, and doesn’t do a whole lot to separate itself from any of the other southern/stoner bands I dig.
”...Of Ditch Diggers and Drowning Men” is easily my favorite song from the album, pulling off a very Allman-esque vibe. The singing is a nice change from the rest of the album’s vocals – less growly, more sing-y. On the topic of the Allmans, for some reason, I hear “Whipping Post” in my head when I hear “Rolling Thunder.” I have no idea why, but it’s the first song that popped in my head when I first heard the song’s intro. “Feed That Train” is a song that just downright grooves, with a heavy dose of FHJ’s trademark harp-playing. Hearing the harp in the song, it’s not difficult to imagine Steven Tyler laying down vocals, back when he still was respectable and did drugs.
One other minor point worth acknowledging: drumming on The Mystery Spot was handled by Clutch’s Jean Paul Gaster. Aside from his solo at the end of “Ten Cent Dynamite,” it’s hardly worth pointing out.
If I come across as overly negative in reviewing this CD, I apologize, because I do enjoy Five Horse Johnson’s work. But I would be lying if I said that I pick out one of their CDs as opposed to something by Halfway to Gone or Alabama Thunderpussy. It’s good rock music, and worth adding to your collection… it just wouldn’t be at the top of my shopping list when I went to the CD store.
Link: fivehorsejohnson.com
| 06/16/2006