Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Monster Truck Sittin' Heavy Company: Mascot Release: 2016 Genre: Hard Rock Reviewer: Frank Hill

Makes the past sound vital in the present

"Rock and roll might save your life, It might save your life tonight!"

On their second full album, "Sittin' Heavy", Monster Truck blows the walls of the building with opener "Why Are You Not Rocking?", a quick burst of anthemic blues rock sure to begin many concerts. Titling it as a question, there's no further answer than turning up the volume and letting your spirit come out. It's two minutes+ of what rock & roll is about and what a lot of us need--a rowdy party with like-minded souls. "For the People" and "Enjoy the Time" both share similar lyrics of communion, but come from a lineage closer to the hand-holding, Flower Power of the late 60s. The barn we all just burned down gets rebuilt with joyful togetherness. "Black Forrest" is a Zeppelin-styled, bluesy centerpiece much like "For the Sun" on 2013's "Furiosity". But this time the light is gone and hope is lost. "Another Man's Shoes" and "To the Flame" have the heavy riff, big-foot lope familiar to many Stoner bands. Most songs these days don't have references to "devil women" anymore possibly due to more respectable modern views, but "She's a Witch" is tribute and warning to those volatile ladies we can't resist but should. In "New Soul", Jon Harvey's raspy, deep voice is offering up some whiskey and warmth under the stars to a different "diamond woman". Ain't nobody gonna tell him how to live...nope.

Individual songs on "Sittin' Heavy" consist of many opposing themes--hope and despair, fighting and fellowship, loss and gain; yet it is musically consistent classic/blues/hard rock. Along with bands like Black Stone Cherry and Shinedown, Monster Truck makes the past sound vital in the present, but don't bother trying to predict the weather, just stand in the wind and enjoy the breeze.