Skinny
Molly - Haywire Riot (Ruf)
Without doubt
‘Haywire Riot’ marks a massive step up in class for this southern rock four
piece fronted by some-time Skynyrd man Mike Estes. Making their early
appearances in the company of Molly Hatchet lead guitarist Dave Hlubek, Skinny
Molly have earned a solid reputation on the circuit as a thoroughly enjoyable
covers act, turning out a mean rendition of ‘Freebird’. Here they shake off any
such tag in defiant style with a set of Estes-penned numbers to rival any of
the competition. Opener ‘If You Don’t Care’ sets the hare running, closely
followed by the classy country-styled ‘Two Good Wheels’, the pounding ‘Too Bad
to be True’ and torch song ‘Lie to Me’.
There’s little filler in the
material and no slack in the delivery, and if the set impresses from the outset
it saves the best until last in the form of ‘None of Me No More’ and ‘Dodgin’
Bullets’. It’s an impressive achievement with echoes not just of Skynyrd but
also of more contemporary acts such as Black Stone Cherry and even the Drive By
Truckers. Whether it’s a maturity earned through a relentless touring schedule
or the confidence gained from their partnership with the ever-impressive Ruf
label, something has clicked for Skinny Molly, and in within the genre, which
continues to defy the sceptics and surprise the critics, they look set to
become the new favourite sons.
Neil B.
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