If you're not "Cock Rockin'", you're not rockin'

Jackson Firebird ~ Cock Rockin' (2014)

 Another awesome release from Napalm Records is Jackson Firebird, a two piece of Guitars and Drums from Mildura, Australia. They play loud, sleazy, fun as hell Rock and Roll in it's purest form. Chuck Berry comes to mind quite a few times for me over the course of the album, and it's a shot of something new and fresh in an increasingly saturated pool at this point. Lots of bands go after that 70's or 60's sound, but the 50's is where it all started. Add into that basic starting formula of a Gibson semi-hollow body guitar and bluesy vocals, an animal of a drummer, a little Punk Rock attitude and Garage Rock sort of musical ethics and you have one kick ass, in your face, Rock band. It's a good thing.
The album opens up with the title track "Cock Rockin'", and it's full of foul mouthed, piss and vinegar, Rock and Roll fury. And in a time where so much emphasis can be put on the nuances of an individual chord, it's a definite change of pace to hear such carefree sort of playing style when kicking out jams like this. The following song "She Said" opens with a rolling drum part, shortly joined by a ripping guitar solo which evolves into a nice chunky riff, which switches up around halfway and the gritty, Garage Rock type vocals kick in, half singing, half shouting. In the end, like most the songs, you'll end up feeling the urge to sing along while you're tapping your toe, if you don't just outright start singing. Getting on into the meat of the album some, you come across the number 7, a gem called "Can Roll". Opening with a 1-2-3 kick/snare beat, it turns into a classic, Arena Rock jam pretty quick, but with a twist. Imagine if Def Leppard were from Alabama, instead of the UK, and you have a good idea of the song is like. A super bluesy Rock riff that carries everything forward, and keeps a nice groove while it's doing it.
When they set about recording this album, they wanted to try and capture as much of the energy as they could from their live show, which they're known for, and put it on tape. Having never seen their live show, it'd seem they did a pretty admirable job. It's a party album by all accounts, from the first track to the closing. Get some friends together, put the beer on ice, light a fat one, kick this on, and watch the results.
~Skip

For Fans Of; MC5, The Kinks, Mammoth Mammoth

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