Album Review: Texas Hippie Coalition – High in the Saddle (eOne)

Backyard barbecues, bar-room brawls, tent revivals, and big rock festivals alike are suitable environments for the Red Dirt Metal of Texas Hippie Collation, a band with a sound so devilishly electrifying that they had to come up with a new genre to describe it.

Big Dad Ritch captains this pirate ship of bikers, outlaws, troubadours, and hellraisers, welcoming all comers to the THC party with gregarious charisma and Southern charm. Across a half dozen albums, countless club gigs, and show stealing performances at Rockstar Mayhem, THC has spread the good word of big riffs, big hooks, and wild times.

Album number 6 is High in the Saddle, a record full of unashamed, full-throttle ass kicking.

Ritch puts the band’s evolution in Old West terms. “In the beginning, you’re an outlaw looking for direction. You gotta get the best guys for the job behind you,” he explains. “Now we know how to rob banks, how to rob stagecoaches, and how to rob trains.”

It will be released on May 31st 2019 via eOne.

With a shitload of swagger, groove and gruffness, the hard rocking sludgy riffs of Moonshine instantly connects. Super catchy, it’s got a real party vibe as does Dirty Finger, a track that demands to be played loud while you speed down a country road with your ‘dirty finger’ in the air.

It’s not all deep groove though as THC also show off some melodic moments and stretch the vocal performance to new areas with Ride Or Die and Why Aren’t You Listening.

Chances are though, it’s the thick and boot-sucking riffs of the likes of Tongue Like A Devil, Tell it From the Ground and Stevie Nicks that will keep most coming back for more. The latter a tribute to the famous rock and roll vocalist. It’s an album highlight with a bluesy start and some of the chunkiest riffs of a chunky-ass record!

Looking for something a little Old West? Look no further then BullsEye which nails this style perfectly. You can feel the sun beating down and taste the choking dust at the back of your throat.

A wickedly fun album closes out with Blue Lights On, a rebellion track if there ever was. Calling to the outlaw in all of us!

Texas Hippie Collation – High in the Saddle Full Track Listing:

1. Moonshine
2. Dirty Finger
3. Bring It Baby
4. Ride Or Die
5. Tongue Like A Devil
6. Why Aren’t You Listening
7. Stevie Nicks
8. BullsEye
9. Tell It From The Ground
10. Blue Lights On

The album can be ordered now via Texas Hippie Coalition’s website where more information can be found. You can also find out more via their Facebook Page, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.