POPMATTERS
Left Lane Cruiser – ‘Rock Them Back to Hell’ (album stream) (PopMatters Premiere)
Known as Left Lane Cruiser, the duo of Freddy J IV and Brenn Beck defines its music as “voodoo hillbilly punk-blues”. Whatever that might be exactly, it’s actually a pretty apt description of the combination of thrashy, scuzzed-out guitar and trashy, bashed-up rhythms on Left Lane Cruiser’s latest outing, Rock Them Back to Hell. The new album is as resourceful as it is energetic, especially making an impression with found-sound percussion supplied by paint cans and trash cans. Wrap it all up in cover art by William Stout, known for his work for Return of the Living Dead and Pan’s Labyrinth, and the over-the-top tone and feel of Rock Them Back to Hell is more than complete.
Premiering here on PopMatters, Rock Them Back to Hell comes out 17 September 2013 via Alive Naturalsound Records.
http://www.popmatters.com/post/left-lane-cruiser-rock-them-back-to-hell-album-stream-popmatters-premiere/
NO DEPRESSION
(online music magazine)
5 out of 5 stars!
CD Review: Left Lane Cruiser – Rock Them Back to Hell!
by James G. Carlson
Freddy J. IV and Brenn Beck of Indiana’s roots rock and hillbilly blues duo Left Lane Cruiser are back with a follow-up to their 2011 release “Junkyard Speed Ball,” titled “Rock Them Back to Hell!” Still on Alive Records, this brand new full-length by Left Lane Cruiser consists of ten original songs of rousing sonic mastery. With Brenn’s dynamic drumming on his kit, along with the peculiar clank n’ bang of his occasional trash percussion, and with Freddy’s wildly nimble finger-pickin’ and dirty note progressions on his guitar, and of course his smoky, boozy stream of dirty-throated vocals, they especially rock the hell out of you on this one.
The first time my ears crossed paths with Left Lane Cruiser’s sound was a few years ago when Hillgrass Bluebilly Records released a reissue of the duo’s raucous debut, “Getting’ Down On It.” Admittedly, I became an instant fan as I listen to those early songs, an experience which resulted in a pretty favorable review. Since then I made a point of listening to as much Left Lane Cruiser material as I could find, during which I ended up reviewing “Junkyard Speed Ball.” But, having gone through the songs on “Rock Them Back to Hell!” a number of times in the last week, I am moved now to state that this is arguably their best album to date. Of course, you will have to listen to it and decided for yourself whether or not that is the case. Such things are entirely subjective, after all.
While “Rock Them Back to Hell” is one of those rare albums that are outstanding from start to finish, there are certainly a few album highlights that deserve mention. Zombie Blocked, the album opener, is a piece of hillbilly voodoo blues stomp, marked by note repetition and punctuated by trash percussion, as well as Freddy J.’s unmistakable ashtray vocals and Kevin Jackson’s ferocious harmonica accompaniment. The following track, Electrify, is along similar lines as Zombie Blocked, and again features Kevin Jackson’s harmonica skills. Neighborhood is a dirty song with Freddy J. working the keys on the Fender Rhodes organ, unleashing manic riffs, and delivering a busy stream of vocals as sharp and filthy as the edge of a rusty razor blade. Every good roots album needs a drinking song, especially when that roots album is by Left Lane Cruiser (whose two members undoubtedly have more booze in their veins than blood), and this one is a hybrid piece of beer-swilling, shot glass-turning rock’n’roll and wasteland country blues called The Juice to get Loose, in which Freddy J. praises the gods of fermentation and distillation, of pints and shots, of bottles and cans and jugs. For the song Coley, the boys slow it down a bit, with semi-clean-channel guitar over a foundation of dirty six-string rhythm, a simple but effective beat, and vocals that aren’t as muddy as usual. And lastly, we have the album’s closer, Righteous, an all-out rocker that seems a distant relation to the bluesy stoner rock of the band Clutch, coupled with a touch of ‘70s guitar rock, but when it comes down to all Left Lane Cruiser.
Left Lane Cruiser’s “Rock Them Back to Hell!” is available from Alive Records on red and white blood-splattered disc, in a simple cardboard and plastic case, with track list on back, band photos inside, and killer cover art by William Stout.
For fans of: Restavrant, Ten Foot Polecats, Scott H. Biram, The Juke Joint Pimps, Mudlow, Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers, etc.
http://www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/review-rock-them-back-to-hell-by-left-lane-cruiser
ORANGE COUNTY MUSIC EXAMINER
Schwindy’s indie music spotlight: Left Lane Cruiser
Rock Them Back to Hell!
Rating: 5 out of 5
When I received a message about a new Left Lane Cruiser album, it took me approximately 2.3 seconds to respond that I would like a review copy. I’m happy to report, loyal reader, that I am not disappointed.
The album begins with with some wonderfully fuzzed-out guitar and primitive drums in “Zombie Blocked.” Then about a minute into the song comes a harmonica part that reminds me of Five Horse Johnson. So, after two minutes is already pretty good with fuzzy guitar and harmonica. Then about two minutes into the song, comes an instrumental that sounds like the guys in the band are channeling R.L. Burnside. That’s never a bad thing. Oh, and since the song is about zombies, I would love to hear it worked into an episode of The Walking Dead.
If you’re looking for a serious groove, check out the song “Neighborhood.” The vocals are lowdown and gritty, the guitar is wicked, and all the while the drummer pounds out a rhythm that will get your head (and quite possibly other body parts) moving. Frankly, if this song doesn’t get you moving, I don’t know what will. That’s certainly not the only song that will get you moving. “Be So Fine” is pretty good for that too. The slide guitar in this one will get you dancing in your chair (or on your barstool if your watering hole has Left Lane Cruiser on the jukebox).
The amazing thing about this band is that the sound is produced by only two guys. The way the sound seems to surround you when you listen, it certainly seems like more than guys are in the band. Frankly, other bands should take a lesson from Left Lane Cruiser. When it’s time to record, just go into the studio and knock it out. Don’t let some producer convince you that you need to do a dozen versions of a song. Just imagine if Left Lane Cruiser ever succumbed to that. I doubt the band produce the raw, raucous blues sound we’ve come know if they gave in to some producer.
This album has so many things to love: slide guitar, harmonica, primitive drums, growled vocals, and a gritty blues that acts as a punch in the nose to all the pop rubbish that surrounds you every day). I’ll say it for the record. This album is a strong contender for the list of my favorite albums of 2013.
http://www.examiner.com/review/schwindy-s-indie-music-spotlight-left-lane-cruiser?cid=rss
WHEN YOU MOTOR AWAY
(online music blog)
REVIEW: Left Lane Cruiser – Rock Them Back To Hell
Left Lane Cruiser is a duo playing heavy, dirty blues-rock. If that makes you think Black Keys, White Stripes, so much the better. They’re definitely in that vein – substitute Ft. Wayne, IN for Akron, OH or Detroit, MI. On Rock Them Back To Hell, their latest album, they worked with the great Jim Diamond (Ghetto Recorders, Detroit MI: White Stripes, Dirtbombs, The Pack A.D., Ponys, etc etc etc).
What’s the sound here? Well, look at the album cover – dirty, hillbilly zombies! Now look at this picture:
They’re drinking 40s from paper bags! There’s a clear message being sent here, and you will be awarded points for picking it up. The souls of old hard-drinking Southern bluesmen reside in these two young Indiana musicians, and these souls want to get out. Bad. They are going to make a hell of a racket on their way out, too.
There’s good slow blues here, too – “Coley” is one where they dial it back a bit, and it’s got some pretty acoustic work. But the guitar playing on tracks like “Jukebox” and “Paralyze Ya” is incendiary, and there’s no way you won’t test the max volume of your speakers while listening to this album. It’s not a headphone album, it’s a “loud in the car” or “disturb the neighbors” kind of album. Thanks, as with so much good blues-rock, to the fine people at Alive/Naturalsound. Read more, check out tour dates and previous releases, and best of all, buy this thing at the links below.
http://whenyoumotoraway.blogspot.com/2013/09/review-left-lane-cruiser-rock-them-back.html
ADOBE & TEARDOPS
(online music blog)
Left Lane Cruiser — Rock Them Back to Hell!
Gott damm this is amazing, hair-curling stuff.
Left Lane Cruiser has been tearing up the pavement with their freakish garage blues for some time now. Today, they release their third studio album.
At first I was a little dubious of the slutty Union zombie (seriously? What do you even do with boobs like that?) but Rock Them Back to Hell! is all killer, no silicone. (Except for the CD, I guess.) Freddy J IV’s squalling vocals and Brenn Beck’s “trash” drum kit (it really is made of trash) create an unearthly sound that’s simultaneously sublime in it’s perfection and unholy in its blistering sensuality.
http://adobeandteardrops.blogspot.com/2013/09/left-lane-cruiser-rock-them-back-to-hell.html
LARGEHEARTED BOY
(online blues music site)
This Week’s Interesting Music Releases – September 17, 2013
Left Lane Cruiser: Rock Them Back To Hell!
http://www.largeheartedboy.com/blog/archive/2013/09/this_weeks_inte_726.html
BLUES MAGAZINE
(online blues music site)
Audio: New single LEFT LANE CRUISER – Juice To Get Loose
from Rock Them Back To Hell! Due 17 Sept 2013 via Alive Records
New single LEFT LANE CRUISER – Juice To Get Loose, from Left Lane Cruiser’s new studio album “Rock Them Back To Hell!” (out on CD, Vinyl & Digital Sep. 17, 2013 through Alive Naturalsound Records).
Heavy southern blues sludge done just the way we like it – raw and kickin’ hard.
Left Lane Cruiser’s Freddy J IV and Brenn Beck are back with an album of voodoo hillbilly punk-blues. Recorded in Fort Wayne IN, and mixed in Detroit by renown producer/engineer Jim Diamond, “Rock Them Back To Hell!” sees the duo expanding their sonic palette by adding bass, harmonica, organ and “trash percussion” (that would be a cardboard box, a paint tin, trash can and an electrified five-gallon bucket). The result is an album to wake up the dead, and rock it back to hell! The “hell-billies” cover art is the work of renowned artist William Stout (Return Of The Living Dead, Invaders From Mars, Pan’s Labyrinth).
“ROCK THEM BACK TO HELL!” TRACK LISTING:
01 Zombie Blocked
02 Electrify
03 Neighborhood
04 Juice To Get Loose
05 Overtaken
06 Be So Fine
07 Jukebox
08 Coley
09 Paralyze Ya
10 Righteous
http://www.bluesmagazine.nl/audio-new-single-left-lane-cruiser-juice-to-get-loose/
BROADWAY MUSIC WORLD
(online music site)
Left Lane Cruiser’s ‘Rock Them Back to Hell!’ Out Today
Left Lane Cruiser’s Freddy J IV and Brenn Beck are back with an album of voodoo hillbilly punk-blues. Recorded in Fort Wayne, IN and mixed in Detroit by renown producer/engineer Jim Diamond, Rock Them Back To Hell! sees the duo expanding their sonic palette by adding bass, harmonica, organ and “trash percussion” (that would be a cardboard box, a paint tin, trash can and an electrified five-gallon bucket). The result is an album to wake up the dead, and rock it back to hell! The “hell-billies” cover art is the work of renowned artist William Stout (Return Of The Living Dead, Invaders From Mars, Pan’s Labyrinth).
Left Lane Cruiser’s new studio album Rock Them Back To Hell! will be available on all formats today, Sep. 17th through Alive Naturalsound Records. There will also be a very limited edition of colored vinyl available exclusively online through Bomp! mailorder.
http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Left-Lane-Cruisers-Rock-Them-Back-to-Hell-Out-Today-20130916
AMERICANA ROCK MIX
(internet radio show)
Juice to get Loose and Be So Fine aired on Sep 12th
http://americanarockmix.com/2013/09/12/episode-200-with-a-few-helping-hands/
SKOPE MAGAZINE
(online music site)
LEFT LANE CRUISER NEW FREE SINGLE “JUICE TO GET LOOSE”
September 11, 2013
Left Lane Cruiser’s Freddy J IV and Brenn Beck are back with an album of voodoo hillbilly punk-blues. Recorded in Fort Wayne, IN and mixed in Detroit by renown producer/engineer Jim Diamond, Rock Them Back To Hell! sees the duo expanding their sonic palette by adding bass, harmonica, organ and “trash percussion” (that would be a cardboard box, a paint tin, trash can and an electrified five-gallon bucket). The result is an album to wake up the dead, and rock it back to hell! The “hell-billies” cover art is the work of renowned artist William Stout (Return Of The Living Dead, Invaders From Mars, Pan’s Labyrinth).
www.skopemag.com/2013/09/11/left-lane-cruiser-new-free-single-juice-to-get-loose
CAPTAIN’S DEAD
(online music blog)
left lane cruiser “juice to get loose” off ‘rock them back to hell due’ out on 9.17 on alive naturalsound records and can stream it via popmatters, here.
http://captainsdead.com/left-lane-cruiser-juice-to-get-loose.html
ZOMBIE NEWS
Left Lane Cruiser – ‘Rock Them Back to Hell’ (album stream) (PopMatters Premiere)
http://www.zombiesnews.com/news/left-lane-cruiser-rock-them-back-hell-album-stream-popmatters-premiere
TWANG NATION
Listen Up! Left Lane Cruiser : “Juice To Get Loose
Left Lane Cruiser doesn’t skimp on the grease, whisky and dust on their single “Juice To Get Loose” from the upcoming “Rock Them Back to Hell” (9/17) The Fort Wayne, IN. duo of Freddy J IV and Brenn Beck defines its music as “voodoo hillbilly punk-blues”. That’ll just about get you in the wrong side if the tracks this cut leaves you. Hold on for your life.
The cover art is a great Jack Davis- style send up by William Stout, known for his work for Return of the Living Dead and Pan’s Labyrinth.
http://www.twangnation.com/2013/09/10/listen-up-left-lane-cruiser-juice-to-get-loose/#sthash.yDqm6sf5.dpuf
KRFC RADIO
(Fort Collins, CO public radio)
“Juice To Get Loose” aired on Scott Foley’s Routes & Branches show 8/31
http://routesandbranches.blogspot.com/2013/09/routes-branches-august-31-2013-scott.html
THE NEWS-SENTINEL
(Fort Wayne, IN daily)
The best things to do in the coming week
SATURDAY
DAY OF MUSIC: Enjoy the music of Left Lane Cruiser, James & the Drivers, The B.E.A.T. and Blue Satellite during the Pinestock Music Festival beginning at 2 p.m. at 6725 N. Road 550E near Churubusco. Gates open at 10 a.m.
Punk-blues duo Left Lane Cruiser is preparing to release its sixth studio album, “Rock Them Back To Hell!” on Sept. 17. The album was recorded in Fort Wayne.
Tickets are $20 for those age 21 and older who plan to drink beer at the event, and $25 each for those age 20 and younger or those age 21 and older who don’t plan to drink beer. The tickets include camping and a bonfire. Buy tickets at http://pinestock2013.brownpapertickets.com.
For information, call 450-8296 or go to http://pinestockfestival.com.
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130905/ENT/309059998/1009/TELEVISION
THE MAD MACKEREL
(online UK music site)
Best Of The Month: Left Lane Cruiser – Juice To Get Loose
Swampy, distorted blues and junkyard punk that is raw, visceral and undeniably thrilling.
http://madmackerel.org/2013/09/05/mad-mackerels-best-of-the-month-august-2013/
WMNF RADIO
(Tampa public radio)
“Electrify” aired on 8/31
http://ninebullets.net/archives/playlist-ninebullets-radio-08-24-2013-88-5fm-wmnf-tampa
PLUG IN MUSIC
(online music site)
Left Lane Cruiser Announce “Rock Them Back To Hell!” Out, 9/17
http://www.pluginmusic.com/news/article/left-lane-cruiser-announce-rock-them-back-to-hell
THE MAD MACKEREL
(online UK music site)
New Album From Left Lane Cruiser
Good news! Left Lane Cruiser’s Freddy J IV and Brenn Beck are back with a new album of voodoo hillbilly punk-blues, Rock Them Back To Hell.
By all accounts they’ve matured a bit too, adding harmonica, organ and even something they term trash percussion (that’ll be battering the bejesus out of cardboard boxes, paint tins, trash cans then). In truth the boys live up to every expectation that the cover art brings – swampy, distorted blues and junkyard punk that is raw, visceral and undeniably thrilling.
Download the zombie barn dance of Juice To Get Loose here.
http://madmackerel.org/2013/08/28/new-album-from-left-lane-cruiser/
BLUES IN THE NORTHWEST
(online blues music site)
Left Lane Cruiser – “Rock Them Back To Hell”
Left Lane Cruiser release their brand new record “Rock Them Back To Hell” next month. We don’t have a review copy of this record but I am delighted to report that one of the songs is available as a free download.
Left Lane Cruiser’s Freddy J IV and Brenn Beck are back with an album of voodoo hillbilly punk-blues. Recorded in Fort Wayne, IN and mixed in Detroit by renown producer/engineer Jim Diamond, Rock Them Back To Hell! sees the duo expanding their sonic palette by adding bass, harmonica, organ and “trash percussion” (that would be a cardboard box, a paint tin, trash can and an electrified five-gallon bucket). The result is an album to wake up the dead, and rock it back to hell! The “hell-billies” cover art is the work of renowned artist William Stout (Return Of The Living Dead, Invaders From Mars, Pan’s Labyrinth).
Left Lane Cruiser’s new studio album Rock Them Back To Hell! will be available on all formats on Sep. 17th through Alive Naturalsound Records. There will also be a very limited edition of colored vinyl available exclusively online through Bomp! mailorder.
http://www.bluesinthenorthwest.com/index.php/2013/08/31/left-lane-cruiser-rock-them-back-to-hell/
WHEN YOU MOTOR AWAY
FREE SONG: Left Lane Cruiser – “Juice to Get Loose” from Rock Them Back to Hell, out Sept. 17
Left Lane Cruiser, a Ft. Wayne-based dirty blues/punk duo, has released “Juice to Get Loose” for your enjoyment. It’s a free download, in advance of their new album Rock Them Back to Hell, due out Sept. 17. If I tell you they are on Alive/Naturalsound Records AND that they worked with the legendary Jim Diamond, you know it’s hard, heavy and full of bad-ass guitars. There’s plenty of slide guitar, electric lead guitar and guttural growling – these guys have blues in their souls:
You may recall that we shared their most recent record, a collaboration with James Leg on a bunch of inspired covers – Painkillers. They’re currently out on tour – you can catch this fiery concoction at the following locations in the days ahead:
LEFT LANE CRUISER’S 2013 TOUR DATES:
Aug 30 @ The Green Lantern – Lexington, KY
Aug 31 @ The Muddy Roots Music Festival – Cookeville,TN
Sep 1 @ Zanzabar – Louisville, KY
Sep 2 @ Warm Fest / Broad Ripple Park – Indianapolis, IN
Sep 7 @ Pinestock – Churubusco, IN
Sep 14 @ Brandanza – Columbia City, IN
Sep 25 @ MOTR Pub – Cincinatti, OH
Sep 27 @ The Bohemian – Greenville, SC
Sep 28 @ North River Tavern – Sandy Springs, GA
Sep 29 @ Boondoxx – Nashville, TN
Oct 25 @ Off Broadway – St. Louis, MO
Oct 26 @ Mojo’s – Columbia, MO
And they will be adding dates – read more, check back to see if they’re coming to your town, and most importantly, buy the record if you want, at the links below.
http://whenyoumotoraway.blogspot.com/2013/08/free-song-left-lane-cruiser-juice-to.html
ENGINE 145
(online roots music site)
Left Lane Cruiser is offering a free download of “Juice to Get Loose,” a song from their next album, Rock Them Back to Hell (out September 17).
http://www.engine145.com/blog/
WMNF RADIO
(Tampa public radio)
“Juice to Get Loose” aired on 8/24
http://ninebullets.net/archives/playlist-ninebullets-radio-08-24-2013-88-5fm-wmnf-tampa
HELLHOUND MUSIC
(online music site)
LEFT LANE CRUISER’S NEW ALBUM “ROCK THEM BACK TO HELL!” OUT SEP. 17TH! FREE “JUICE TO GET LOOSE” MP3
http://www.hellhoundmusic.com/tag/left-lane-cruiser/
DEEP BLUES
(online blues blog)
LEFT LANE CRUiSER – New Single :: Juice To Get Loose from Rock Them Back To Hell! Due 9.17.13 via Alive Records!
Heavy southern blues sludge done just the way we like it – raw and kickin’ hard.
http://realdeepblues.blogspot.com/2013/08/left-lane-cruiser-new-single-juice-to.html
BROADWAY WORLD
(online music site)
Left Lane Cruiser’s ‘Rock Them Back to Hell!’ Out, 9/17
http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Left-Lane-Cruisers-Rock-Them-Back-to-Hell-Out-917-20130823
