By:
Hunter Young
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 20/04/2016
Label: Independent
Heavy Blues bolstered with some low tuning and fuzzed up crunch
allow Boudain to cruise through their new album, “Way of the Hoof”, like the
biggest gator in the bayou.
“Way of the Hoof” CD//DD track listing:
1. Sleazy
Feats
2. Neptune
3. CODA
4. 3 Man
5. First Class
6. The Mighty Turn Around
7. Disco Jimmy
8. Godzilla
2. Neptune
3. CODA
4. 3 Man
5. First Class
6. The Mighty Turn Around
7. Disco Jimmy
8. Godzilla
The Review:
Hailing
from the mighty swamp areas of the American South, Boudain
plays it slow, muddy, and gritty, much like the very tasty dish they are named
after. Heavy Blues bolstered with some low tuning and fuzzed up crunch allow Boudain to cruise through their new album, “Way of the Hoof”, like the biggest
gator in the bayou.
Sounding
like a muddier Wo Fat, Boudain come out
swinging with “Sleazy Feats”; being
true to the title, its a down and dirty fight with their tunes coming fast and
riffy. The album flows well from then on, with some songs occasionally being a
bit muffled and lacking just a tinge of the high end I really want (“CODA”, little bit on “Neptune”). However, it's a very small
complaint against a fun album, especially to those that love the more bluesy offerings
of the fuzz genres. Boudain comes calling
with conviction, with some exceptional chops on several cuts, the
aforementioned “Neptune” definitely
balancing its mud with some really catchy playing and general fret wizardry.
They
don't slow down all that often, preferring to keep the pace moving to keep it
from stalling. “First Class” keeps
the midsection of “Way...” rolling
quickly and smoothly, keeping the beat on point with a simple and quick rhythm
section. From there they move around between keeping it in the rhythm lane and
simply pouring hot lead on their fingers and shaking it onto paper with their
licks (“Disco Jimmy”), before they
drop the guillotine with a sweet, loose, gritty cover of “Godzilla” by Blue Oyster Cult.
“Way of the
Hoof”
is a welcome enterprise from these fuzz fondlers, and Boudain
should be a fun intro to anyone wanting that old soulful experience from their
bands, but those wanting something new or to have it open their eyes, they may
be a little disappointed. Just have fun with it, and you'll get everything you
need.
“Way of the
Hoof”
is available here
