I tried with this record… really you guys, I did. There are some legitimately redeeming characteristic here too: the fuzzy tones, pulsing rhythms and dedication to old school rock and roll all reflect the things that make Ripple Music bands so darn good. That being said, it's a shame that a record with such cool cover art should come off as so uninspired. Everything here feels a little subpar and it leaves me wondering what could have been.
Fundamentally, the problem is that this album just feels flaccid. The very first riff on Albino Rhino is promising but it immediately gets lost under droning vocals that don't quite work and which hover over riffs that never really pay off. Occasionally there will be a spicy guitar solo that provides a few moments of catharsis, but by and large, BoneHawk leave fans frustrated. Even when it feels like things are going to reach a new level and the Thin Lizzy worship will finally be justified, you find yourself drowning once more under bland riffs that seem to come a dime a dozen these days.
Still, BoneHawk have managed to do something here. It suggests to me that with some tightening up of their songwriting and a more refined vocal approach they could do something cool. So while yes, I can't hide the fact that I'm disappointed that one of my favorite labels failed to deliver, I can certainly see why they would want to work with this band. BoneHawk are very close to being the real deal, they just miss a bit too frequently for this album to come off as anything more than a footnote.
Score: 3/10
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