The band name Monster Truck immediately makes you think of big riffs played by hard rocking beard wearing whiskey swillers. Well, for once a band name encapsulates exactly what a band do with Monster Truck. The band play a very raw and unpolished brand of bluesy rock and roll with the odd bit of Southern rock, a dash of Stoner fuzz and plenty of Classic and Punk rock influences. Essentially they are a gimmick free timeless rock band.

It is also a band name that you’ve probably heard before; even if you haven’t heard the music yet. They’ve had a bit of hype thanks to a recommendation courtesy of Slash and a Juno breakthrough award to add to their accolades. A big build up doesn’t always do bands too many favours and it’s important to consider the band have been hard at work on tour to build their reputation. Perhaps more importantly though is that the music does stand up to the hype. Monster Truck are great!

‘Furiosity’ is a collection of songs ablaze with rock and roll spirit. It’s genuine hard rock album with little in the way of frills. It’s been done before by bands and it will be done again but when a straight ahead rock album excites you, then you know it’s a good one.

The album rolls with a ZZ Top swagger. Stomping riffs and hooks aplenty with a classic sounding vocal performance from Jon Harvey is the basic formula. He manages to conjure up a southern fried Ian Astbury vocal, especially in the big chorus lines. It all fits together very nicely really.

The freight train sampled intro is a good statement of intent to start the album. It sets both the scale and momentum of the music and ‘Old Train’ is a big sounding tune to get the ball rolling. The towering riff is especially typical of what Monster Truck deal in throughout the album. The rough and ready bass heavy start to ‘The Lion’ keeps things heavy but the melodic ring to Harvey’s vocals ensure a balance between the tuneful and the ferocious elements of Monster Truck.

‘Sweet Mountain River’ is the obvious single. Not too dumbed down but perhaps a more shapely song compared to the rough edges of some of the heavier tracks; it has a sing-along chorus that just smells of summer festivals.

There are twelve tracks in total but ‘Furiosity’ doesn’t outstay its welcome. The album skips along with no filler and a good harmony of flat-out rockers and slower ballads. A complete album made up of songs that stand up for themselves when listened to in isolation.

7/10

Rob W