Crow Black Chicken
Rumble Shake
Angela Macari O’Looney
Crow Black Chicken are a force to be reckoned with, having been on the scene successfully rockin’ since they formed back in 09.
Seductive and sleazy, but applying enough spunk when required, this fun three man act increase their originality and personality with each live performance and here on this newly recorded CD they remind us they are still enjoying what they do as much as their many followers!
The band consists of Christy O’Hanlon – Guitar/Vocals, Gev Barrett- Drums/Backing Vocals/ Percussion and Stephen McGrath –Bass.
Hang em high, the first track has a choppy intro which includes lots of juicy riffs on guitar, with a touch of harmonica throughout to add southern charm. Distortion is used further into the song, with ingredients such as tambourine and stomping drumbeat to liven it up. The middle eight is thumping and loud, building up to a huge crescendo to wind back down to the distortion packed riff in the last chorus. A key change is filtered in during each chorus, which I like.
I love the ascending quality of the melody line in Two Seven. Action Packed, it involves superb guitar chords and riffs that bite!
Christy delivers the chorus with that special charm unique to him. Memorable is how I’d describe it, for the cool arrangement but also for the Guitar solo and indeed bass and drums throwing in all they have to the cauldron.
Bitter begins with a deep bluesy baseline, sexy splashes of guitar coming in next.
Dark and deep, this song involves big dramatic style guitar chords and despite the tone of the chorus being down and dreary, close harmony from Gev creates an enjoyable extra layer to colour things up!
Priest Hunter is a beautiful number, with a moody melody line. It has sweet trickling acoustic guitar throughout, with percussion suited to the atmosphere of the lyrics.
Take my heart and bury it in the ground. A man that lives, never to be found.
Little Paths – There’s lots going on in this number with it’s slower tempo, trickling southern style riffs and one particular catchy bass hook, with seductive note-bending to enhance the sound. Christy pours out the blues with the bittersweet lyrics; Four in the morning everything’s alright. Little brown bottle makes me feel so tired. The night was black and the night was blue. She didn’t know how to talk to you.
Rumble Shake
The title track is really something. Fast moving and possibly their best number to date, it’s loaded with spice!
Distortion packed guitars, all the stops pulled out, all the qualities of a head bangin’ delight, and this number is a treat.
The catchy riff throughout and Christy’s hot delivery all come together just perfectly!
I totally love the plucky intro and interesting beat change in Black Asphalt. Delicious guitar, busy bass line, and in sync style guitar bits to create wonderful volume and depth. Christy sings in a cynicism to suit the mood of lyrics that are matched to the dark melody-line; Black Asphalt what have you done, walk the night with your black asphalt son. Sleepin’ in ditches the whole day long, dancing with bitches with no britches on.
Lead solo lovely, build up to it thunderous and totally drama packed!
Sax in Blackman’s Gold adds such an amazing touch to the overall sound of the band. Love this!
Seductive, sleazy, with a sense of intent, the lyrics and low down style lead guitar are powerful and say it all.
Jesssie Mae involves a strange rhythm, with a creepy quality to the entire number. Both guitars echo the chorus as the song is performed. Ray Wylie Hubbard guests on this track performing Vocals/rhythm guitar.
Sit with Satan There’s a dark humour in this song, along with a fab beat, slick and sexy guitar riffs and a story about the merciless Satan told with passion.
And the devil came down and said look here boy, what I got to do. You got an innocent man. I burn em up two by two. It begins with a lone guitar, joined by snare drum, to eventually build up to a solid sound packed with splashes of slider to liven guitars up and sensational commotion towards the final chorus that winds down with the original guitar riff and snare until they finish with a finale style drumroll.
Additional guests on the album include Mark Walsh-Lapsteel, Christian Volkman- Harmonica, Stephen Parker- Keyboards and Simon (Wookie) Wall on Sax.
From Cork, the band is set to continue with their successful streak which includes plenty of gigs. They have a certain appeal if you were among those who enjoyed bands such as ZZ Top back in the 80s, Rory Gallagher or guitar dominated rock that blows your ears off. Once you listen to this album, you’ll be intrigued enough to want to immerse yourself again and again.
Take a deep breath and dive right in!
