AMERICAN DOG

Mean

Colonial Canine

7.5 / 10

Track listing:

01. Just One More
02. Cat Has Got You By The Tongue
03. Mean
04. Drivin' Down The Sidewalk
05. Blood Guts And Beer
06. Gonna Stop Drinkin' Tomorrow
07. Mine All Mine
08. This Ain't The Summer Of Love
09. Sunshine/Moonshine
10. Ain't Dead Yet
11. Motherfucker

Columbus, Ohio's AMERICAN DOG have been churning out its amplifier-blowing brand of Southern tinged, blues based hard rock for over 10 years now, building up a substantial fan base in the States (the Midwest in particular) and Europe, a continent they've toured no less than 12 times. If you think for one moment that AMERICAN DOG has succumbed to trend temptation or chosen a kinder, gentler approach to loud n' proud guitar rock, then you've not obviously not heard "Mean".

Featuring a harder edge than previous releases and an even worse attitude, no doubt due to brutal hangovers during the recording process, "Mean" is all have-guitar-will-travel and fuck-you-if-you-can't-take-a-joke rock 'n roll. The sound joins the gonzo guitar of TED NUGENT with the whiskey rock of NASHVILLE PUSSY (those lead vocals in particular) and adds a healthy dose of Southern slide and blues bounce for good measure. With the exception of the marginal rhythm 'n blues of "Drivin' Down the Sidewalk" (it's ok, just a little pedestrian),"Mean" works for its no frills songwriting, killer riffs and solos, an in-the-pocket rhythm section, and nasty ass disposition. Songs like "Just One More", "Boozehound", and "Motherfucker" (as hilarious as it is catchy as hell) hit the spot for their keep-it-simple, yet relevant and always capably performed, approach. The cover of BLUE ÖYSTER CULT's "This Aint' the Summer of Love" (from 1976's classic "Agents of Fortune") is a perfect cover choice and gets the roughed up and knocked down AMERICAN DOG treatment so that it fits right in with the originals.

"Mean" is not the hard rock album of the year or anything. It is just a damn fun and seriously rockin' disc that works equally well driving down the road with the windows down and stereo blaring or as the soundtrack to a beer-and-BBQ backyard puke fest. It also comes with an extra large set of balls and plenty of slobbering drunkenness. Yep, it's as American as apple pie.

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