By: Martyn Coppack
The Heavy Eyes | facebook | bandcamp |
Released on November 13, 2015 via Kozmic Artifactz
Memphis, Tennessee may not be well known for its fuzz fuelled blues bands, but as one of the epicentres of rock and roll, it definitely has the pedigree to surprise you. The Heavy Eyes have been one of those surprises for a few years now and with the release of third album, He Dreams Of Lions, they aim to carry on with their gift.
It’s not an unwanted one either as the band slip into their blues roll with more than an ounce of Stones swagger enlightened by the heady rhythms of Led Zeppelin. Yes, we’re in generic blues rock territory here and it’s all been done before, but at least it doesn’t take itself seriously or earnestly like Kings Of Leon. Instead there is a hunger about them, which transcends some of the more stodgy moments on this album.
As openers go, ‘Shadow Shaker’ pays its dues but it’s ultimately forgettable and it’s only on third song ‘Z-Bo’ that we get a hint of something special from this band. Kicking back into a cool groove, it dispenses with any over-excitement as it treads a fuzzy line between classic rock and desert rock. This good work continues into ‘Old Saltillo Road’ whose drums stir up memories of the erstwhile Zeppelin rhythm master, John Bonham.
The influences are strong, but they work as at the end of the day they’re are treading a path many have gone before. By being respectful to that legacy they avoid any pitfalls and as the funky time signature of ‘Smoke Signals’ unfolds you have to doff your cap to them. Even better is to come with the fantastic ‘The Fool’, which simply drawls its way out of the speakers.
Elsewhere you have the jagged urgency of the title track which channels a punk energy, the rollicking ‘Littlefinger’ and also lesser tracks such as ‘Hail To The King, Baby’, which ends up being simply filler. There is also the magnificent closer of ‘Modern Shells’, which is one of those songs that begs to be played loud as you tumble down the desert highway in your open top car. You could try it hurtling down the M62 and you may even get the same effect. It’s all rather dramatic and cool.
So, an average album with enough high points to keep things interesting. It’s always going to be difficult when playing this sort of music as you are up against one hell of a legacy. The Heavy Eyes manage to pull it off though and as the bar brawl blues of the secret track (or is it just a continuation of Modern Shells?) picks it’s way to the end you can’t help but feel a little love for these guys.
