JennJoy's Full Review: Reason to Live * by Sixty Watt Shaman
Next up in my ongoing "devil rock" series is the Maryland based band Sixty Watt Shaman. These guys are another in the long line of hard rock/metal bands that should not be ignored. Having seen them live a few times and being blown away, I picked up their new album, Reason to Live, at a recent record release night at the Trocadero here in Philadelphia. The disc is packed full with sixteen solid tracks that will leave you satisfied but begging for more—which is exactly the way any good album should make you feel.
Sixty Watt Shaman is tough to classify. Many people lump them right into the stoner rock category, but they are so much more. Sure, there are elements of that genre here, but the band really spreads their wings on this album to expand into some new territory. Depending on what song you are listening to, different things will come to mind, like southern rock, blues, 70's rock, metal, prog rock, and more. This is one of the really beautiful things about this band, because you know they will never get pigeonholed into one sound.
Reason to Live is best experienced in its entirety, mainly because this album is about as close as a studio recording could ever come to the band’s live show. Sure, there’s a tiny bit of polish that allows each element to be a little crisper and clearer than at a show, but Sixty Watt Shaman really managed to maintain that raw feel that so many albums lack. Reason to Live is gritty, it’s loose, and it’s 110% real. If you haven’t been fortunate enough to see these guys live, this album will just about get you there.
The album almost has two major tones to it: the ballsier, harder tracks and the slower, bluesy tracks. Both are well represented in a variety of ways and there isn’t even one weak song on Reason to Live. "The Mill Wheel" is a great acoustic number which shows off the band’s more subdued abilities, while heavier tracks like “Our Name is War” absolutely tear the roof off. "My Ruin" is the perfect bar song, with its deep bass line, scorching guitar, and lyrics about, well, drinking. "One Good Leg" gives every sleazy 70's rock song a run for its money and is one of many tracks that really highlight's the singer’s soulful vocals. Final track "All Things Come to Pass" is an astounding jam session that clocks in at over 12 minutes long and features Scott "Wino" Weinrich of The Obsessed and Spirit Caravan fame on guitar.
Reason to Live should be an immediate addition to the collection of anyone who considers themselves a fan of hard rock/metal. Sixty Watt Shaman are a phenomenal band that truly take all their influences and mold them into something entirely new. You'll find all sorts of little surprises at every little turn and I know you won't be disappointed!
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.