Cut from the same, dirty sounding, three chord, hard rock stone as AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, Dirty Looks and Rhino Bucket, Austin Texas bad boys Broken Teeth have been cutting a bold swath through the American hard rock scene since their formation over ten years ago.
For those who haven't yet clued in to what Broken Teeth are all about, here's the story in a nutshell. Formed by Dangerous Toys belter Jason McMaster in 1999, what initially started out as a side project designed to market AC/DC style riffage to German bikers and Euro fans of straight ahead, kick ass hard rock, morphed into a full time gig after the release of their self titled debut album. The rest is history and Broken Teeth have been on a mission ever since, converting fans everywhere with their infectious brand of primal, no holds barred rock 'n roll.
Studio album number four Viva La Rock Fantastico is once again another splendid offering from top to bottom from these five Texas tornadoes. Armed this time 'round with thirteen, blistering rounds of ammo, which includes a vocal cameo from like minded Canadian rocker Danko Jones on the title track and "Big Spender", Viva La Rock… is armed to the hilt with a staggering amount of visceral and always in your face aggression that packs enough wallop to take down a stampeding rhino at forty paces. Guitarists David Beeson and Jared Tuten fire off heaping amounts of slashing, rapid fire riffs on tracks like "Blackheart", "All Hail" and the lethal one two punch of "Exploder" and "Spitting Nails". While Tuten and Beeson, along with the always rock solid rhythm section of bassist Brett McCormick and drummer Bruce Rivers, are laying down one landmine after another, McMaster's trademark shrieks and screams are peppered overtop these sleazy rock anthems. Quite frankly "Pastor" McMaster has never sounded better in my opinion. Not to mention lyrically it's pretty hard to dismiss the insightful bump n' grind verbiage displayed on "Twister", "Dressin' Up In Flames" and "Bullet".
Broken Teeth records never fail to remind me of what good old fashioned kick ass rock 'n roll is supposed to sound like. Nowadays when the world or at least the music world often feels about as safe as a glass of milk, it's reassuring when bands like Broken Teeth aren't afraid to hold back on the sex, drugs and rock 'roll. If Viva La Rock Fantastico doesn't stir the fire below your belt, then you probably ought to see a doctor.
Track Listing
1) Blackheart
2) Exploder
3) Spitting Nails
4) Dressin' Up In Flames
5) Break The Spell
6) Twister
7) Back On The Road
8) All Hail
9) Get Outta Here Alive
10) Bullet
11) Viva La Rock Fantastico
12) Big Spender
13) Ride Upon Glory