Review: Massive Hassle ‘Unreal Damage’
Our existence can certainly suck. Shit jobs. Traffic jams. Bills. Clueless politicians. Pigeons and seagulls using us as rectal target practice. Internet scammers. The list would outpace a pre-internet phonebook, but you get the idea. A band with the title Massive Hassle couldn’t come at a better time and what’s even better is that the group is composed of personal favorite Bill Fisher and his brother Marty.
While I have enjoyed Fisher’s last two solo albums, I feel he is at his best when complimented by more aggressive rock and metal flavors to go with his subtle humor and distinctive croon. And with his brother both trading and joining him on vocal duties, it makes for a full Fisher package. Unreal Damage is the brotherly duo’s latest release, and it speaks to you: The receiver of this mortal coil’s crueler jokes.
‘Crap is your life. Crap is your life. Crap is your life. Why is everything so shite?’, hear hear! The opening song begins its pace with a late ‘70s vibe (think AC/DC, Scorpions or even The Cars) but throws in some oddly angular proggy heavy riffs and chord changes which mixes up the formula wonderfully. It’s a great, if a little weird highway rocker.
Funny, heartfelt, intelligent and very much needed in today’s troubled times…
The Nottingham siblings sound fantastic on Chorus Of The Dawn, a rootsy rocker that features a decidedly more upbeat tone than its predecessor with some bright guitar pedal fun thrown in for good measure. Lost In The Changes initially has the feel of Queens of the Stone Age’s ‘robot rock’ moments but strikes with a much more metal persona, while Stay Sound brings in that beloved blue eyed soul influence that works so well with Bill’s sonic palette.
Right Time is another relaxed number. It’s tasteful, welcoming and soothing with some lyrical guitar and continuously solid vocal harmonies. The mournful Walk Of Shame (a subject that has certainly needed its own song) and the swinging blues rock of Tenspot continue on the album’s path to a lighter and more placid route of reflection. The closer Somewhere Sane, a suitable call-back to the opening track, see’s Marty taking the vocal lead with conviction for a song that swells with optimism, a hint that there’s a bright light at the end of the dark crap tunnel. The gorgeous heavy guitars at the final moment help to send this point home.
Unreal Damage is a solid rock album. Funny, heartfelt, intelligent and very much needed in today’s troubled times. Personally, I would have liked a few more heavier tracks but the overall effect of the Fisher brothers bringing their writing and singing talents is just phenomenal and sincere. Definitely slide this record towards anyone you know who laments the state of rock music in the early 21st century. The damage is done!
Label: Septaphonic Records
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Twitter | Instagram
Scribed by: Rob Walsh
