CD Review – Nashville Pussy – Up The Dosage
Nashville Pussy vocalist Blaine Cartright created a bit of a stir recently when he proclaimed the band’s upcoming cd, “Up The Dosage” ( via SPV/Steamhammer), was their “Back In Black”. Pussy fans, I’m here to tell you- it is. Yes, folks, Grammy Award Nominated Nashville Pussy are back- and they’re tighter than ever!
When I heard bassist Karen Cuda was leaving the band after the last studio cd, 2009’s From Hell to Texas, I’ll admit I thought that may have been it for the band. Four studio albums…four different bassists. How many bands can bounce back from that? Would they still be able to keep the same raucous Nashville Pussy sound with yet another member added to the mix? Clearly, the answer is a resounding HELL YES! Welcoming their fifth bass player, Bonnie Buitrago, to the band, Blaine Cartright, guitarist Ruyter Suys, and drummer Jeremy Thompson have found an incredible musical chemistry that finds them releasing the most relevant, musically solid, rock and roll cd of their careers.
Nashville Pussy, along with sound engineer Brian Pulito, producer Rick Beato (Shinedown), have flawlessly taken the classic Nashville Pussy southern fried, ass kickin’, boot stompin’, Jack Daniel’s swiggin’ rock and roll sound and merged it with hints of ZZ Top, Judas Priest, and Motorhead.
Up The Dosage starts off like a kick to the head, and never lets go. Leading off with “Everybody’s Fault but Mine”, featuring the familiar, whiskey soaked vocals of Cartright that ooze with attitude, the pedal quickly gets floored with “Rub it to Death”. Reminiscent of early Motorhead, this track finds guitar Goddess Ruyter Suys laying down what might be the best playing of her career. Just try driving the speed limit with this one cranked up on the stereo.
“Till the Meat Falls off the Bone” showcases Buitrago’s talent, complete with Suy’s doing her best Joe Perry impression with riffs that would have fit right in with early Aerosmith. “The South’s Too Fat to Rise Again” is classic Nashville Pussy, and “Before the Drugs Wear Off” will have you singing along and hitting repeat after the first listen. Close your eyes and you’ll be transported to hillbilly, honkeytonk heaven…can you smell the Jack Daniel’s yet? “Spent” would have been right at home on 2000’s “High as Hell”, “Beginning of the End” is a solid rocker, but one need look no further than the title track to see why this is clearly Nashville Pussy at their best. “Up the Dosage” sounds like classic ZZ Top on steroids, but does so while still retaining the signature sound Pussy fans have come to expect from the band.
“Taking it Easy” is a 47 second tease with Ruyer (I assume?) on vocals, before the anthem-like “White and Loud” (custom made for rebellious rock and roll sing-a-longs) leads us to the most intriguing song on the cd. In a nod to their southern rockabilly roots, “Hooray for Cocaine, Hooray for Tennessee” showcases the diverse musical talents of the band (complete with mandolin), and puts me in mind of Hank Williams 3. “Pillbilly Blues” and “Pussy’s Not a Dirty Word” round off this amazing offering from the band, and close out the cd on a strong note.
Up The Dosage is Nashville Pussy at their hard rocking best. Period. Long time fans of the band will not be disappointed, and those who have yet to be converted will be pleasantly surprised to discover them. This is my early pick for Comeback of the Year.
Up The Dosage will be released in North America on January 21, 2014, Germany on January 17, 2014, and in Europe on January 20, 2014 as a limited digipak edition (incl. 2 bonus tracks + poster).
Click here to pre-order your copy TODAY!
For more info on Nashville Pussy- visit www.nashvillepussy.com.
-The Sarge
Category: Interviews, Reviews
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