Odds are that most American audiences are not familiar with the music of Eat The Gun. However, the band—Hendrik Wippermann (vocals/guitar), Gereon Homann (drums), and Peter Bergmuller (bass)—has made quite the name for itself in its home country of Germany. Eat The Gun has already released three full length studio albums and an EP since 2002. The band released its fourth full length record this week. Stripped to the Bone is an apt title for the band’s latest release. That’s because of the band’s stripped down, straight forward, rock and roll sound on this album and its equally straight forward, stripped down lyrical content on this album, too. Being that this is the band’s fourth full length release, this could very well be the one to break out the band, given the proper support from radio programmers and listeners.
Stripped to the Bone kicks off in proper rock and roll fashion with its opener, ‘At The End Of The Day.’ This song is just one of the many radio ready songs from this album. The song’s driving guitar and drums tracks collectively make this song an instant fan favorite. They give the song a certain straight-forward rock and roll vibe. There’s no pretentiousness about it. It’s just good, solid rock and roll. Lyrically, it’s just as straight forward. WIppermann sings in the song’s opening verse, “Been giving you a hard time/I had to find my way/Thanks for all your patience/One thing I guarantee/If you get along with me/I will get along with you/If you get along with me/You’ll see/It’s all about you/And me/At the end of the day/All the trouble/And the struggles/Are just stones in our way.” This is quite the uplifting statement for listeners. That uplifting and infectious chorus set next to the equally strong guitar breaks serves to make ‘At The End of The Day’ quite the impressive opener. It sets the tone for what’s to come. And what comes after impresses just as much, as audiences will hear for themselves.
‘Loner’, the album’s second song and lead single is just as strong an offering as ‘At The End Of The Day.’ It’s a social statement, yes. But it doesn’t have the holier than thou attitude In its own way, ‘Loner’ is an allegory about individualism. Its main character just wants to be himself. He wants to get away from all the pressures that people place on one another and from their self-centered nature. Just as with the album’s opener, this song boasts a high energy musical side that will more than certainly have listeners moving right off the bat. The song’s lyrical side is just as certain to keep listeners engaged. Wipperman is to be applauded for not being preachy unlike so many other bands out there trying to make statements in their music. He writes in this song’s opening verse, “I had a dream/That one day/Life would be/Much easier/No crooked heroes/With beady eyes/Sellin’ us/A pack of lies.” He leaves nothing to interpretation in this short line. And to be honest, more songwriters need to be so straight forward. Far too many songwriters write in metaphors. This leaves far too much room for misinterpretation in songs. Thank goodness that isn’t the case with this song or any other throughout this LP.
If ‘Loner’ and ‘At The End of The Day’ aren’t enough to convince new listeners to what makes Stripped to the Bone such a worthwhile listen, then perhaps the album’s penultimate song, ‘Hot Blood’ will convince said listeners. This song is pure rock and roll in every sense. From its hard rocking, hard driving musical side to its classic rock and roll lyrical fare, this is one of the highest of highs from this album. Wipperman sings alongside the song’s full throttle guitars and drums, “She’s got/The hot blood/I’m at her mercy/When she is dirty/She’s got/The hot blood/No need to tease me/When she is sleazy.” Seeing a live audience singing along, clapping their hands in unison to the high energy anthem is so easy here.
Speaking of the band’s live show, the band has a pair of dates in Germany currently set for March. Fans can keep up with all of the latest tour updates and news from the band online at http://www.eatthegun.com and http://www.facebook.com/eatthegun.official. Fans can also go to either site to order Stripped to the Bone now. It goes without saying that the songs noted here are just part of what makes Stripped to the Bone a record definitely worth hearing. It is just as fitting to note that regardless of how much attention it may or may not get stateside or elsewhere, this record is more than deserving of a place on this critic’s list of the year’s best new independent releases list. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.
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