Murderer’s Row
Liberty Denied
Riley Records
Review by hutch
Well after five albums on various labels, Bob Riley has
stepped out on his own to release records. Bob Riley headed the Upstate NY
metal mammoth, Stigmata, for many years. But in 2000, he grabbed his boot boy
roots and started this drunk and roll band.
Self-described as Motorhead meets Rose Tattoo, their influences are
obvious. Though prior albums have been faster or splashed with hardcore, this
album is straight slower rock and roll for punks and drunks.
Immediately, I think of Forced Reality’s 2000 feel, late
Bruisers, and The Wretched Ones. Solid production helps boost the quality
writing. You hear what you expect about working class, shaved heads, drinking
and boots. But when that’s my life, it suits me fine. Smart stories from older
men who have been doing this for thirty plus years, fill this album and I say,
“preach, on brother”.
Songs like “White Collar Crime” bring the US Oi! feel
matched with lyrics. Revved up rock like Combat Ready or Bruisers is this
band’s strength and separates it from the a generic vibe.
Struggles and the pains of the working class is the common
thread the pulls these gritty rock songs together. And rightly, that
incorporates a great Oi! sound into the tracks. “Our Struggle” slows it down to
lament over a beer and a guitar. While “When the Day Comes” and “Slum Nation”
pushes the harder faster edge. While I
try to compare the fast fury of the closer, “Give the Pain”, to maybe some
current heavy Condemned 84 clone, I realize with the tight riffing that it all
goes back to Motorhead; just a NY Oi twist.
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