Monster Truck – Sittin’ Heavy (2016) Review

Err, RIFFS.

Yo, this be Reuben. To give ya some context, Monster Truck compile four of the biggest dudes from Canada into a blues rock outfit to give Thin Lizzy shivers. What they do best is blast rockin’ choons through your head and Sittin’ Heavy, their latest release, does that to the best they have yet, just missing out on my favourite album of 2016 behind Gojira‘s Magma.

Sittin’ Heavy brings out smashing hits from out the wazoo like it’s its job — oh wait, it is. Never mind that, awesome rock tracks like Don’t Tell Me How to Live and She’s a Witch don’t come easy. Both these tracks and everything else on this record brings together an amalgamation of grooving bass, heavy and wig-out-y guitar, thumping drums, and soulful vocals — all topped off with fantastic keyboard work. Actually, it’s that last factor that really sets Monster Truck apart from its competition, as the keyboard brings that bit of extra power and energy to this rocking orchestra.

Even so, there is already a great energy possessed in the album, embodied by the unstoppable walking bass licks and energised guitar work, not least that aforementioned brilliant vocal output from Jon Harvey, who along with being a great bassist has become one of my favourite vocalists.

There is also a strong melodic power in Sittin’ Heavy, underlined in just about every hook it throws at you – particularly in For the People and Don’t Tell Me How to Live. Admittedly, there is a certain aspect of the ol’ cheesiness sometimes, but I couldn’t care less when these feel-good beats are so constant, and better than in the band’s previous releases with an extra layer of variety.

This album will make you grin the whole way through, but it is not always the same. There are slower hits like Black Forest and To the Flame, quick, heavy barrages like The Enforcer and Why Are You Not Rocking?, build-up tracks like Another Man’s Shoes, and so on. Admittedly, I won’t be able to say that every song is as good as the one before it, but the excitement and quality of songwriting remains throughout, despite there being a couple of obvious stand-outs.

One thing’s for sure, and that’s the fact Sittin’ Heavy is about as chunky a rock record as a 24-ounce-steak (that’s big in England, okay?), and provides a selection of great rockers to enjoy and mosh along to with their fantastic energy and fun musicianship. If you like any kind of rock, do yourself a favour and give this album a go. I see big things on the horizon for this band — including a UK tour!

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91/100

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Bringing redundant opinions for scrollers everywhere,

Reuben.

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