Album Review: Texas Hippie Coalition – Gunsmoke (MNRK Heavy)

Heavy southern rock band Texas Hippie Coalition are back with their new album ‘Gunsmoke’, due for release on October 4th, 2024, via MNRK Heavy.

Living up to their name and what is expected of their sound, Texas Hippie Coalition continue a good run of form with their latest blast of heavy rock groove. One that leans even more into their Southern style but, importantly, retains a heaviness that sets them apart from other bands of this ilk.

Thank goodness too as Southern rock has a tendency to sound quite samey and it’s fair to say that it’s not exactly the most creative field to sow these days. Unless you take it in a thicker instrumental direction, deliver smoky gruff vocals, and have enough infectious choruses to please a more accessible audience. Which, happily, is exactly what Texas Hippie Coalition do here. Delivering ten body shaking, head banging, foot tapping, and finger snapping hard rock bangers drenched in whiskey, smelling of firepits, and burnt red by the Texas sun.

It begins in thumping fashion too with Deadman’s groove being on the heavier side and Baptized in the Mud having a chorus that is joyfully catchy and sleazy sounding. It’s clear just two tracks in that if nothing else, this album is going to be fun, and as if to hammer that point home even more, Texas Hippie Coalition then drop Bonez Jonez. A track with an air of danger to it, a track that conjures up a wicked smirk, and a track that sends some chills through the body.

Of course, it’s no surprise that this album has a rock ballad or two also, and the first is She’s Like a Song. A track to make you feel wistful and sentimental. Whereas the finale of I’m Getting High is the other softer offering, but this one uses an acoustic guitar to give it a different flavour. A flavour that has a sense of soul to it.

In between these tracks though, there are some high-powered and vigorous bangers to get hot and sweaty to. Droppin Bombs grooves along excitingly. The title track is the soundtrack to an old-school ride along with the potential of a shootout on dusty roads. Eat Crow has a bluesy flavour that puts a smile on the face. Million Man Army goes hard, and Test Positive caps everything off with a meaty vein of heavy guitar noise. Each track offering up something attention grabbing, with the entire album being charming as all hell.

That it’s a tight and concise listen works to its favour, Texas Hippie Coalition don’t overstay their welcome and thus, leave a much happier impression. Especially as it is such a class album.

Texas Hippie Coalition – Gunsmoke Track Listing:

1. Deadman
2. Baptized in the Mud
3. Bonez Jonez
4. She’s Like a Song
5. Droppin Bombs
6. Gunsmoke
7. Eat Crow
8. Million Man Army
9. Test Positive
10. I’m Gettin High

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