Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Jackyl When Moonshine And Gasoline Collide Company: Mighty Loud Entertainment Release: 2010 Genre: Hard Rock Reviewer: EC

Another solid hit record for Jackyl

I remember helping my father with carpenter work while growing up. We often accepted side jobs on the weekends or during late Summer evenings building additions, tearing down old houses or general manual labor. I can always remember picking up the hammer under my father's watchful eye and attempting to drive a nail straight. My frustrated father would nicely say to me "HIT IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT SON!". That was probably mentioned to Georgia's Jackyl at some point or another...and they really took it to heart.

Hard rock's hardest working act has returned with a new album titled "When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide". The record is released courtesy of Mighty Loud Entertainment and is the band's first push to the studio since 2002's "Relentless". Jesse James Dupree and the boys had some big shoes to fill, with both "Relentless" and '97's "Cut The Crap" seeing the band at all time highs in terms of quality. Both of those albums rip and tear from start to finish, punctuated with Dupree's characteristic pipes and the chugging sweaty blues chords made famous by the likes of AC/DC and Ted Nugent. While Jackyl have not been very busy with their collective works, Dupree has been fairly active. The vocalist released his second solo album last year with Dixie Inc. entitled "Rev It Up & Go Go". That solo effort saw Dupree exploring some Country and Southern Rock roots, with half of the album trademark hard rock and the other half full Country and Hillbilly romp.

"When Moonshine And Dynamite Collide" sounds just like the title advertises...Jackyl in a rampage here as they explore the country-fried Georgia hard rock that they have perfected. The album has great chemistry and really mixes it up to keep the listener in tune. "My Moonshine Kicks Your Cocaine's Ass" is a booming audible, complete with Dupree's obnoxious tantrum and some gang chorus bits. The songwriting here reminds me of the George Jones' classic "White Lightning". The loudest ass ripper, "Full Throttle", is a head on collision with some of the heaviest down-tuned chords and some faster blues riffing. "Loads Of Fun" and "Freight Train" play well as quick paced blue collar fare, while "Deeper In Darkness" would fit comfortably on the "Cut The Crap" record. The group also do a fun lax cover of Janis Joplin's "Mercedes Benz".

Overall this is another solid hit record for Jackyl and brands the group as one of the best long running hard rock bands in the US. "When Moonshine...." is far better than the last AC/DC and KISS albums and really should be a huge release if they can find radio play. Highly recommended!