Album Review: The Lockhearts – American Doom Fuzz

The Lockhearts debut album ‘Americana Doom Fuzz’ crackles with an earthy vintage vinyl sound of self-authoritative bona fide belief. Opener ‘Leatherface’ plumes out in a hazy smoke ring of familiarity. The loose fit tight touch is held neatly together by the close to perfect combination of corrosive guitars, hypnotic drums, heavy bass and classic Rock vocals. ‘The Ocean’ has a Barnes/Crowes crossover that continues on the equally impressive ‘Call For Help’. The seventies stoner vibe is punctuated by a tangible taste of sticky sweet liquorice tobacco and sumptuous Kentucky hooch served in a jam jar over iced cherry stones. A harmonised ’Little Eden’ gives way to the acoustic, harmonica hobo anthem ‘London Bound’. The loveless ‘If I Was Your Man’ falls on some stony ground before ‘Godamn Pretty’ slides smoothly across the fret satellite and heads down to commercial Georgia. Lead single ‘Ride Home’ has commercial success splattered all over it’s Zeppelin smiling face while ‘Polaroids’ cruises down the middle of the Rock road. In the album’s final play ‘Xanax’ unashamedly throws Rock ‘N’ Roll hail mary towards the album’s goal line. ‘Americana Doom Fuzz’ is a hugely, hugely enjoyable listen.