Hammerlock--American Asshole
Man's Ruin 1998
Ultimately, time is the best test of a truly great album. Sometimes, music just doesn't hold up well as years go by. In retrospect, Hammerlock's debut full-length, American Asshole, is one of those albums that does actually stand the test of time. It's as great a joy listening to it today as it was all those years ago.
On their first outing, Hammerlock mine the same punk/hard rock/Southern rock/country & western amalgam they've become the kings (and queen) of over time. That said, American Asshole can be divided into two halves. The first half of the album is culled from sessions laid down in June of 1997. This material hints at what was to come on the Anthems For Outlaws album, thanks to a bigger sounding production than with previous sessions. Then, there's American Asshole's second half, recorded in April of 1996. The production on these tracks is much more raw than on those newer sessions and the material more punk-leaning, though still melding all of Hammerlock's stylistic elements. It all makes for not only a raucous listen, but an interesting one, as well. American Asshole highlights Hammerlock's progression as a band perhaps better than any of their other releases, thanks to the obvious differences between these two sessions.
Material-wise, Hammerlock was delivering top-shelf stuff right from the start. Of the album's slicker sounding first half, highlights would include "Take Me Down The Road," with Liza's double-tracked vocals creating an awesome effect. Also standing out would be "Golden Nugget" which sees Hammerlock coming off as the ultimate Southern rock version of Motorhead. As for the second half of the album, it's too blisteringly great to try and pinpoint anything. This material is more level than what was on the first half (meaning not as varied in its subtleties) which, in effect, creates one sustained front of whoop-ass.
Any way you look at it, American Asshole is killer, killer, killer--front to back. As with all bands who truly rule, you need every damn thing Hammerlock ever lays to wax. So, if you ain't got it, go get American Asshole. Listening to this stuff will never get old.
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