CD Review – Jackyl – ROWYCO – Mighty Loud Entertainment

September 3, 2016 | By Crash Crafton More

Puh-Pow! Those chainsaw rippin’, hell raisin’, gun tottin’, Bourbon drinkin’, Harley-Davidson ridin’, full throttle Rock N’ Rollers from the backwoods of Georgia collectively known as Jackyl are back with “ROWYCO”. It’s their 8th studio album in 24 years. Yes!, I count 1998’s “Stayin’ Alive” as a studio album even though it includes three cover tunes and three live songs. “ROWYCO” is your typical Jackyl studio album….. Loud, aggressive, stanky (© Jesse James Dupree) and as politically incorrect as ever! You know, all the things we have come to expect and love from the band. Let’s get this review fired up, shall we?!!? Here we go, Rock Me, Roll Me, Jackyl Me Off!

Not to be redundant but “Disasterpiece” kicks the album off in full-throttle fashion. A tribal groove laid down by Chris and Roman really provides a solid foundation for Jeff & Jesse to do their thing. Infectious is the only way to describe the chant that dominates the chorus on “Rally”. The breakdown and guitar solo section are one of several highlights for me on this album. Short, sweet and pointed right between your ears. “All Night Rodeo” starts off with a solid drum groove followed by a tasty bass run leading into some stanky guitars. Roman and Chris are really making their case for MVP’s of this release.

“Ahead Of My Time” puts the pedal to the metal and never lets up for four minutes and twenty-five seconds. Hopefully this track will be added to the live show. “Just Because I’m Drunk” is the perfect country lyric sang over a nasty Blues tune. At the time I am reviewing this album, it’s my favorite tune off of “ROWYCO”. A nice companion to “Secret Of The Bottle” from 1994’s “Push Comes To Shove” LP. The next track caught me off guard. The riff rang a bell and I was able to dig deep into my brain & recognize it from the strip club scene from the 1999 film “Detroit Rock City”. A trip over to IMDB then over to Amazon and I was checking out Hot Chocolate’s original version of “Everyone’s A Winner”. Jackyl covering a Soul bands Disco-era hit, mmmk, well, if anyone has the balls to do it, it is JACKYL and if anyone can pull it off, well, it is JACKYL! Job well done!

Oh no, please don’t tell me they covered the Patsy Cline hit “Crazy”? After the debacle that is Jackyl’s cover of the Janis Joplin classic “Mercedes Benz” from 2010’s “When Moonshine and Dynamite Collide”, I don’t think Jesse covering another woman’s song is a good idea! Sorry, Jesse! Thankfully, after hearing the song, I didn’t go “Crazy” after all. The track is another blistering groove monster. Could it be that the lyrics are autobiographical? Maybe, maybe not, who knows?

“Hammer To The Head” just drips of sludge. It’s thick, it’s dirty and is like a slow hammering to your skull. I digg it. It shows a heavier side to the band but more like Alice In Chains or early Soundgarden heavy not Pantera or Metallica heavy. Don’t skip this track or you’ll miss something that takes to song to a whole different level. “Limpdick” is just plain nasty, musically and lyrically. A proverbial middle finger to your current flames ex! “Blast Off” is one of those songs that would be a perfect show (or album) opener but brings the album to frenetic close. Loud, fast, a cool bass solo and anthem lyrics leaves the listener wanting more. Guess we will have to put this album on repeat until studio album #9 arrives.

Looking back over the 24 years that have passed since Jackyl chain sawed their way into my subconscious, one word comes to mind, CONSISTENTLY! They’ve consistently been active in the music world, they’ve consistently toured, they’ve consistently did things their way, consistently collaborated with Jeff Tomei and Don Tart on the production & mixing side of the recording process and they’ve consistently put out albums that consistently sound like JACKYL!

The band has thrown a curveball a time or two with a lineup change or collaborations with Run-D.M.C.’s Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels. “ROWYCO” carries on that mighty loud tradition and if I may go out on a limb, I feel Jackyl is this generations AC/DC, albeit on a smaller scale, but when you see them live or buy an album, you consistently know what you are spending your hard earned cash on, unabashed, unapologetic, unrelenting good ol’ fashioned Rock N’ Roll cranked to 11! “ROWYCO” loudly and proudly carries on that tradition!

Jackyl – ROWYCO
In Stores – August 5, 2016

Jackyl – ROWYCO
Release Date: August 5, 2016
Mighty Loud Entertainment

Tracklist:
01) Disasterpiece
02) Rally
03) All Night Rodeo
04) Ahead Of My Time
05) Just Because I’m Drunk
06) Everyone’s A Winner
07) Crazy
08) Hammer To The Head
09) Limpdick
10) Blast Off

JACKYL:
Jesse James Dupree: Lead Vocals, Guitars & Chainsaw
Jeff Worley: Guitars & Backing Vocals
Chris Worley: Drums & Backing Vocals
Roman Glick: Bass & Backing Vocals

Produced by:
Jesse James Dupree & Jeff Tomei