Hillbilly Vegas – A La Mode – Album Review –

Review By Darren McIntyre

Hillbilly Vegas are a high – energy 5 piece juggernaut Southern Rock Band from Oklahoma who burst onto the scene in 2011, they have been carving out a solid fanbase since the release of their debut album Ringo Manor. The boys bring a party – like atmosphere which has allowed them to share the stage with the likes of Blackberry Smoke, The Kentucky Headhunters, Wolfsbane, Ted Nugent, Alabama, Travis Tritt, Blake Shelton & Wynonna Judd, the boys have played festivals like Winterstorm & Maid Of Stone. The boys have been hard at work in the studio writing & recording new music and today I have the pleasure of bringing you their new album A La Mode, please settle in, grab a cold one and be prepared to rock out with everyone’s favourite Rednecks.

Miss America – Ooft from the getgo this banger grabs us by the throat and shakes the living daylights out of us as the roaring riffs get this monster off the ground as Steve leans in and lets this bruising beast leave it’s mark. The colossal keys are really letting the groove breath as they settle in with their epic tone as the thundering rhythm section kicks in the doors and lets us have it both barrels as the boys dig deep and let the tempo weave it’s way through this incredible opening track, the funking, dark, brooding bassline is dropping in and hitting us with real cool, groove laden beats as the boys quickly settle into their stride and let this foot stomping, bluesy rocker leave it’s mark on us as the shredding, power riffed guitar licks control the direction of this blistering track that leaves no stone unturned let me tell you.

Down The Honkytonk – Keeping the blues tempo rockin and rollin we get a real sludgy, meaty kick that just allows this classy groover the room it need to grow as the rasping guitar licks let us feel the swagger pouring into this arrangement. The rhythm section is giving us a real punchy beat as the cymbal crashes rain down on us as Gunner gets the party moving with solid snare / bass kicks that really grab our attention, the epic Hammond style keys really build around this colossal foot stomping, thigh slapping beast as the boys give us a real gritty, rasping track that lets us know what we have been missing from my boys. The slick composition really gives us a sense that these boys have been working on a heavier, gritty sound that comes across extremely well as the tone, texture just delivers in truckloads with ease.

Let It Ride – The punchy, melodic tone keeps rollin as the boys bring us a sludgy, rasping kick as this thundering beast hits us with a full on snare kick that allows the rhythm section to blast our ears full pelt. The rasping vocals are weaving their way through this arrangement as the foot stomping groove wraps itself around us as the boys work their magic in this sizzling, meaty, groovetastic number that just grabs our attention from the very first note, the heavy ended beat is just building as Steve leans in and offloads with his fantastic, gritty toned vocals that really lead the charge in this meaty, kick ass groove that really has us throwing our fists in the air as the boys bring everything but the kitchen sink to this fantastic beast.

Every Jukebox In Town – A real melodic vocal tone wanders into the track as this honkytonk bruiser really gets the juices flowing as the boys bring a blues infused rocker track to life. The rasping, gritty, blues soaked vocals really elevate the track as the boys come at us with ease as the cool, meaty bassline hits us with a delicious tone that just brings the whole arrangement together, the kick ass honkytonk piano tones are just bubbling under the surface as the boys get their country groove on as this sweet, melodic number rumbles on as the cool backing vocals let the track soar as a slick, crisp guitar fill crashes the party and lets us feel the energy oozing from the boys as this rockin roller blues piece leaves it’s mark on us as the boys bring a real hoe down feel to this fantastic number as we finish on a high as the backing vocals really let the tempo breath.

Find Me Yesterday – Cool, melow slide guitar tones ripple through the intro as this soulful number unfolds as Steve leans in and lets his colossal vocals lead the charge of this killer rockin ballad as it builds and builds as we get a softer more emotional side to the boys. The piano tones are weaving their way through the arrangement as the snare dtaps allow the groove to build as the track opens and really lets the groove wander freely into the arrangement, the meaty, dark bassline really lets the tempo come at us as the tempo really glistens with ease, a soaring guitar solo drops in and really lets us feel the emotion pouring from the boys as they deliver a real thought provoking piece that will surely resonate with the listeners as the roaring groove just wraps itself around this incredible number.

Mr Midnight(Ft Paul Rodgers) – A crisp, bluesy riff erupts from the off as Paul Rodgers lets his colossal vocals get this rockin monster off the ground as the boys lend their tone to this foot stomping bruiser. The rhythm section is controlling the direction of this absolute banger of a track as the boys dig deep and let the music take us to somewhere new as this fist pumping beat just allows the boys the space they need to let this epic arrangement flow. The honkytonk style keys really elevate the track as the boys drop in with deep, funky bass tones that just let the track tell it’s own story as Paul lets his gravelly vocals kick in the doors and let this rousing monster leave it’s mark.

Feels Good – A crunching, bluesy guitar lick opens the track as the rhythm section kicks in the doors and lets us have it both barrels as this blues filled beast ripples and really lets the groove take us. Steve brings his awesome, raspy vocals that just let the groove work in this fantastic track as the cool backing vocals leave their mark on this funky rockin track that has us stamping our feet to the gritty, rockin tone that is weaving it’s way through the arrangement. The tempo changes pace mid section as the punchy snare / bass kicks lift the groove as we dance around and feel the love pouring from this funky blues soaked rock n roller that just punches us straight in the face as it delivers a deep, punchy tone that really gives the track depth, swagger and bags of attitude.

Something Crazy – A kick ass groove wanders through the opening as the boys shift through the gears and let us feel the crunching energy oozing from every musician as they deliver a well thought out album. The rhythm section comes at us wit a solid snare kick that lets the bass kicks weave their way through this hoe down bruiser as the killer Hammond style keys really bring the track to our attention as this foot stomper erupts, the slick, clean guitar riffs are working their magic as the whole arrangement just merges together and really lets the boys do thier thing. The punchy rhythm section is really letting the groove roll as the boys bring their A-Game to this album as it just tells us they have really worked their magic in this solid slab of blues / rock that just tingles the senses as the spectacular musicianship bubbles under the surface and just puts a smile on your face.

Bound To Run – Acoustic strumming chords rumble through the intro as the boys bring us a cool, punchy beat that allows Steve to lean in and deliver his colossal, blues soaked vocals that just grab us. The rhythm section is controlling the groove of this smouldering rocker ballad as the cool Hammond style keys ripple through the track and just let it breath as the boys really put their heart and soul into this incredible slab of rock n roll that sees a real maturity in the delivery, we are being treated to something special in this track as the boys bring a real classy touch to the album with epic keys, smouldering vocals and a punchy rhythm section that just pops. The gutsy, dark, delicious bassline is the glue that is holding this bad boy together as we feel the energy, emotion oozing from every musician.

I Hope You Know – Ooft from the outset we get a rumbling guitar riff that just kicks in the doors and lets us have it both barrels for sure as this fist pumping, foot stomping bruiser hits us square in the eyes. The gravelly soaked vocals really let this track flow as the rasping guitar riffs make themselves known to us as a cool, dark, brooding bassline drops in and hits us with a cool, delicious groove that wraps itself around this monster track. The rhythm section is commanding the track with it’s solid snare / bass kicks that let the arrangement weave it’s way through the main vein of this epic release, the boys are sounding heavier, crisper and really on point with a no nonsense, hard rockin beat that just grabs us by the scruff of the next and gives us a damn good shake. The crisp guitar icks are just elevating the track to the next level as it builds and builds as the soaring vocals lean in and just tell us that the boys are back and ready to shake the world to it’s very foundations.

Holding On – A honky tonk piano ripples through the intro as the thundering rhythm section blows the doors off as this foot stomping monster rears it’s head as the boys finish of this blistering slab of music in style. The whole arrangement is like a party in your head that just keeps getting bigger and better the more you let it consume you as the musicality is just incredible, the boys are really turning on the style with this awesome album that will certainly gather them even more support and I am priviliged to hear this awesome music and review it as it will go down a storm for sure. The finishing track is a real barnstormer as it really lets the boys cut loose and really let us have it both barrels for sure as the funking bassline wraps itself around the whole piece and lets the thundering rhythm section tell it”s own story as we get a slick, crisp guitar lick that surrounds itself with the towering, ballsy vocals that really do this album justice.

Hillbilly Vegas –

Steve Harris – Lead Vocals

Stacy Thornburg – Guitar / Vocals

Giraldo Dominelli – Guitar / Keys

Todd Ronning – Bass

Gunnar Molton – Drums

Track Listing –

Miss America

Down The Honkytonk

Let It Ride

Every Jukebox In Town

Find Me Yesterday