Release Date: December 04th 2024. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Shotgun Sawyer - Track Listing:
1.Cock N' Bull 03:37
2.Bye Bye Baby Boogie 03:43
3.The Sky is Crying 04:38
4.Isildur's Bane 09:47
5.Master Nasty 05:39
6.Hopeless 03:45
7.Going Down 03:52
8.Tired 04:25
9.That's How it Goes 03:31
Members
Cody Tarbell - Drums
Brett (The Butcher) Sanders - Bass
Dylan Jarman - Vocals/Guitar
Review
Shotgun Sawyer are back with their long awaited new self titled album which is their third overall. The band went on hiatus after the release of their second album with COVID, creative differences with the band and frontman Dylan Jarman stepping away from music for a period of time. Drummer David Lee left and has now been replaced by Slow Season/Westing member Cody Tarbell.
It seems all the trials and tribulations that Shotgun Sawyer have faced over the last years has helped them release their best album to date which was released back in December 2024. The album is a fine collection of songs from the classic heyday of 1970’s Hard Rock where elements of Blues, Country, Southern Rock, Roots and Americana are used to great effect. Though, Shotgun Sawyer enjoys using some mighty HEAVY FUZZED up POWER CHORDS along the way.
There’s a cool “RETRO” vibe to the songs with Dylan’s vocals inspired by the classic frontmen of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Dylan’s vocals have a fine storytelling presence to them and I can listen to him all day as he has such a highly likeable persona. WIth a mixture of fast-paced, mid-tempo and slow sounding Blues Rock melodies, the band may live in the era of music that’s not that fashionable but they actually have a hip and happening presence to them especially when the music becomes more Doom Rock orientated.
Standout tracks include: Cock N’ Bull, The Sky Is Crying, Isildur’s Bane, Master Nasty, Tired and That’s How It Goes.
If I have to choose a favourite track then it would have to be Isildur’s Bane as it’s a Doomed Out Blues Rock filled with sludgy side guitars, trippy Southern Rock vibes and a shit-ton of street level attitude coming from the whole band with excellent lyrics to match.
This is perhaps the perfect album for the Classic Hard Rock fan to invest themselves emotionally with. As it’s a record full of wonderful surprises where it can be surprisingly heavy when the mood calls for this. It may have taken six years for the band to return but welcome back Shotgun Sawyer, you’ve been missed.
Shotgun Sawyer have done themselves proud with this album and have released their most mature record yet. I sadly missed this album when it was originally released back in Dec 2024 as it would have easily made my Albums Of The Year list for 2024. Don’t make the same mistake that I did. Add this to your collection now.
Words by Steve Howe
Shotgun Sawyer is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music.
Links
Linktree | BandCamp | Instagram
