Friday 2 November 2012

Review: Skinny Molly - Haywire Riot


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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