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I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In The House
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Menace
In Music We Trust Records
Release: 9/07/2004
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Rated:
Review by:
Jason Warner
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I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In The House know the value of
some good roots rock. From the opening track of
Menace, I was tapping my foot and thinking
longingly of dusty roads and sagebrush.
Menace is the new album from I Can Lick Any
Sonofabitch In The House. It is a gritty, boot stomping,
rowdy example that reminds us it is great to live in America,
even if it does have a few problems. I Can Lick Any
Sonofabitch In The House front man, Mike D, seems to have
a few problems with America himself. At one time Mike D.
served his country in the 101st Airborne/Air Assault and was
an Army boxer as well. Apparently military life didn't suit
Mike D. too well, as he turned to the seemingly opposite life
as a musician after his stint in the Army. If Mike's lyrics are
any indication of how he really feels, then it is no wonder
things didn't work out for him when he worked for Uncle
Sam. I can think of a few words that are more likely to
come out of his mouth than, "Yes Sir."
Menace deals with some heavy topics, from the
death of a grandmother on "Pauline," to a failed marriage on
"A Good Day to Be a Bad Husband," to Mike D's apparent
dislike for a certain preacher at the "Westboro Baptist
Church." "Dust and Sun" takes an interesting look at 9/11
and the war, which is nothing new as far as country
songwriting goes, but this one takes the interesting twist that
it is written from the point of view of an Iraqi.
The lyrics for Menace read like the catalogue of
every country song ever written; they speak of loss, sorrow,
ass kicking, murder, infidelity, southern preachers...you
name it, Mike D. has thought of it. Then there's the music.
Mike's voice sounds like he gargled with battery acid from
his broken down truck. The harmonica and guitars are
grinding and the rhythm section makes me sweat. The
driving beat and dynamics of the opening track, "I'm Gone,"
is something we don't hear enough of in recorded music. I
imagine this band to be a loud, sweaty good time live.
Although the lyrics may appear stereotypical at first glance,
taken as a whole, the album is a nice picture. I Can Lick
Any Sonofabitch In The House is pure southern rockabilly
country punk at its best. Watch for them at your nearest
roadhouse honky tonk. |
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