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Molly Hatchet
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Warriors Of The Rainbow Bridge
SPV/Steamhammer Records
Release: 5/24/2005
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Rated:
Review by:
Morley Seaver
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This is a tremendous effort by the southern rock institution,
Molly Hatchet. There is a vibe and quality that has been
missing for some time on a record-wide basis. Part of that is
probably due to the bitter-sweet aspect of the history of this
disc. During the recording last year, the wife of band leader
Bobby Ingram passed away suddenly. Ingram then decided
to throw himself fully into the project.
Ingram said, "I sat down and said you know, either I can
back-pedal or I can go full steam ahead in her honor… so
the things that she helped put together would not be in vain.
The get out there and play and don't let your fans down kind
of thing. I know she would want me to go in this direction.
She heard the basic tracks on the record and she passed
away right in between the production and I miss her dearly
and always will. Not only did I suffer this loss but the entire
band and our fans did as well."
Compounding the problems for the band was the passing of
Danny Joe Brown, the original lead singer, just a few months
before the record's release. Brown had been in ill health for
many years but remained close to the band.
The band, guitarist Dave Hlubek (a co-founder who returns
after a lengthy absence), vocalist Phil McCormack, drummer
Shawn Beamer, keyboardist John Galvin and bassist Tim
Lindsey, joined guitarist Ingram in rising to the challenge of
making this a landmark record. And they
succeeded.
The opening cut, "Son of the South" is as strong an anthem
as ever been heard rivalling (and exceeding) their classics,
"Flirtin' with Disaster," "Gator Country" and "Whiskey Man."
The guitars are in full razor-sharp mode for "Dancin' on the
Bayou." They roll out the boogie for "Time Keeps Slipping
Away" (excellent chorus), "Roadhouse Boogie" and "I'm
Ready For You."
"Flames are Burning" is a standout with its moody intro and
excellent chorus. Singer McCormack sounds great with his
gruff vocals on this one. "Behind the Bedroom Door" has a
rousing intro that recalls the beginning to "A Little Help From
My Friends" before slinking off into a southern
guitar-bop.
The jewel of the set is the title cut, "Rainbow Bridge," a
seven minute tour-de-force that has classic stomped all over
it. This is Ingram's ode to his wife Stephanie, and it's both
heart-felt and powerful. "Rainbow Bridge" is the bridge to
heaven. The verses can bring a tear to your eye, and
McCormack sings with a lot of emotion. Halfway through the
song, the dark clouds part and the song explodes in a
southern rock jam that is both joyous and a reminder that
even in the darkest of days, life must go on. Bobby Ingram
(who also produced the project) closes it off with an
awesome solo that was recorded with him alone in the studio
playing against the recorded song.
For fans of southern rock, or just good solid rock in general,
you'll find no better release this year than Warriors Of
The Rainbow Bridge. |
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