Album title:
God Bless the Drunkard's Dog
Artist:
PW Long
Label:
Southern
God Bless the Drunkard's Dog is either a startling reinvention of raw rock in the style of Hendrix and Bob Seger or a simple retread of retro stereotypes. With a voice ragged enough to allow Long to sing that he feels crazy tonight without leaving him looking stupid, his songs never stray far from the mythic template of the open road and the beautiful woman, while his guitar clangs and chimes away. Within his limited genre, Long finds a wide range of emotions: Saskatune is rough contemplation, Sonni a slinky glamorisation of small town friendship and Nogalese Rose is hip-shaking boogie that could be horribly objectifying or honestly lustful, depending on the listener's patience. The persistent use of rock-blues riffs and clichés (Let 'em Roll!) could be wearing in a less convincing performer, but his determination and intensity raises Drunkard's Dog into a guilty, air-guitar treat. [Margaret Kirk]
Release Date: Out now.