Just four tracks to get into Austin’s Lazy J & The Dirty Shuffle. Maybe that’s all it takes.
“Til The Devil Knows I’m Dead” is tight with a bloated blues-based guitar. The killer riff is pseudo Allman Brothers and a slight Black Sabbath flavor. The lyrics were charismatic with J Grover (vocals) at the helm – his delivery sneering like a man smoking cigars behind dark glasses.
The extended guitar piece in this track is warranted and calls to mind a bit of Hendrix. Grover gets a bit screechy towards the end of the song, but his emotion is felt and a bit of a knife fight with the commanding guitar.
“Double Down Boogie” has 70s rock written all over it. Like more so than creeper mustaches and PBR. I loved it. The guitar work is just enough where it’s taking center stage; not overdone like a loud obnoxious muffler on a oversized truck. This is an instrumental track. The guitar seems to tell it’s side of the story, leading on the percussion on the idea it may, too, have its say. Nope. The guitar has the audacity to fight through the tango and graciously opens and closes the book in 3:51.
“Let’s Let Love” has a softer feel to it. The guitar has a slight more melodic undertone; the vocals are not as feisty as in “Til The Devil Knows I’m Dead” but the arrangement and blues foundation is solid.
“Let Me Come Home” is crunchy and a bit more seedy. The vocals have depth; the chorus is catchy and southern rock. Fans of Lynard Skynard will want to take a few listens to this one.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed these songs. My least favorite was “Let’s Let Love.” I found myself listening to “Double Down Boogie” more than the others, but music lovers that gravitate towards Southern Rock and out-of-this-world blues guitar will raise a few glasses of beer to Lazy J & The Dirty Shuffle. A+
