The band formerly known as ‘Thunderchief’ now release the album ‘Thunderchief’ under the new name ‘Shotgun Sawyer’…
Coming out of nowhere this album surprised us by how good it is, chock full of heavy blues riffs and distortion it’s the sort of album to get you nodding and then moving along to the beat rater quickly.
With great vocals from Jarman and a nice tight backline these Californians know how to make a noise and start the album rather quietly compared with what is to come with the rough edges of ‘Skinwalker’: a great raw, rocking number that injects a fair bit of blues into proceedings it’s a great way to start and to soften the blow of the altogether heavier fare of ‘Sudden Death in the Flesh’ replete with great drums and crashing guitars.
Add to the mix some country style acoustic at the start of ‘Lawman’ before the huge riffs kick in and you realize that these guys know what they’re doing and they do it well.
There’s so much to enjoy here from the rock of ‘I’m a Bad Man’, the atmospheric storytelling of Gravedigger Dan’, the loose-stringed delta blues on ‘Soldier Song’; even the heavier blues of ‘Strawberry Jam’.
A name to look out for, we’re mightily impressed. This could well end up one of my picks of the year.
