Courtesy: Steamhammer/SPV Records
Nashville Pussy front man Blaine Cartwright and his wife Ruyter Suys (pronounced Rider Sighs) have spent nearly two decades making hard rock for the masses. While the husband and wife duo have largely stayed just under the radar that whole time. That hasn’t deterred them, either. The pair (with their latest band mates) is set to release the band’s sixth full length studio release later this month. Up The Dosage is scheduled to be released Tuesday, January 21st via Steamhammer/SPV Records. And it goes without saying that this new record shows Cartwright and company have not lost any steam over the course of their careers.
It goes without saying that Up The Dosage is a fitting title for the latest release from Blaine Cartwright and company. The band has continued on this record, its long-standing tradition of crafting some of the most raucous and irreverent rock songs that the music world has ever heard. The album’s opener, ‘Everybody’s Fault But Mine’ is a prime example of this. Musically speaking, its sound is similar to bands the likes of Fireball Ministry, Black Stone Cherry and others of that ilk. Its lyrical side makes it even more enjoyable. It comes across lyrically as a proverbial middle finger to all those that would want to blame others for their problems. Imagine Hatebreed’s ‘Defeatist’ only aimed in a different musical direction. Audiences will hear that for themselves as Cartwright sings, “If you see me coming/You’d best get out of my way/Cause I don’t wanna know you/You’ll just lead me astray/If the world comes crashing down/I’ve left it far behind/If I don’t make it to the top/It’s everybody’s fault but mine.” If indeed Cartwright and company were intending a certain sharp commentary with this song, then message well received. There are people everywhere like the individual portrayed in this song. They are the typical “oh-woe-is-me” type that refuses to stand up and take responsibility for their own actions and the results of said actions. Considering the history of Nashville Pussy, this is the perfect re-introduction for fans of the band that are more familiar with its material. On the other hand, it is just as welcome an introduction for anyone that might be less familiar with the band’s catalogue. And it’s only one of so many stand out songs that the band shares on this record.
If ‘Everybody’s Fault But Mine’ doesn’t grab audiences right off the bat, then the adrenaline-fueled song that follows definitely will prove the band’s reputation. That song is ‘Rub it to Death.’ Musically speaking, this is a song that bears quite the Motorhead style influence. Lyrically, it is everything that has made certain groups hate rock and roll since its early days. There is mention of both sex and drugs throughout the song that comes in at just under three minutes. Of course so much of said material is so explicit that it can’t be reprinted here. That content aside, ‘Rub it to Death’ is still another great addition to this record when one puts the song’s high-energy musical side next to the more adult lyrical themes. Simply put, it’s a good fit for anyone that is a fan of Hank III.
The energy and themes established early on in Up The Dosage barely lets up as the band makes its way through the course of the thirteen tracks that comprise the album’s standard edition. On a side note, the album will also be available in an extended edition that includes two bonus tracks. The one time when things take a different direction–albeit a slight one at best–is on the album’s shortest song, ‘Taking It Easy.’ The song comes in at just under a single minute. To be more precise, it clocks in at just forty-seven seconds long. Things take a different turn here primarily in that Cartwright’s wife takes over vocal duties. And instead of singing about sex, drugs, and rock and roll, she sings about taking a break from said topics. She sings, “What are y’all doing on a Saturday night/I’d rather be sleeping than getting in a fight…you rock it all over like a heavy metal beast/You know you got’s to/takin’ it/takin’ it easy.” The real irony of the song is that for a song that is about…well…taking it easy, it is quite the adrenaline-fueled anthem. That juxtaposition alone makes it well worth the listen. Add in the fact that it is able to say so much and make such a hard-hitting impact in such a short span of time, and audiences get a song that is far less simple than it seems on the surface. It’s one more of so many songs that audiences new and old will appreciate on this album.
Fans overseas will get to hear even more of the band’s music beginning at the end of the month when it kicks off its European tour. The first date on that tour is Thursday, January 30th at Le Forum in Vauxreal, France. The latest list of the band’s tour dates is available on the band’s official website, http://www.nashvillepussy.com. Fans can also keep up with the band via Facebook and Twitter at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nashville-Pussy/13091707669 and http://twitter.com/bashfulpuppy.
philspicks 