Nashville Pussy High as Hell (TVT)

Nashville Pussy

High as Hell (TVT)

The Nashpuss has always been equal parts schtick and blistering rock & roll, scabby trailer-park trappings and Gibson prowess, courtesy of lead singer Blaine and wife Ruyter, so it's no surprise High as Hell finds the band headed equally in both directions at once. Blaine's kerosene-throat vocals are as scabrous as ever, there's plenty of Angus Young-style guitar work to be found, and Kurt Bloch's production goes further toward capturing the ferocity of the band's live sound (a problem on previous releases). On the other hand, with song titles like "Shoot First and Run Like Hell," "Rock & Roll Outlaw," and "Blowjob From a Rattlesnake," as well as the liner notes' absolutely hilarious art, the band's further in on their own joke than ever before. It'd almost be too goofy if the rock didn't measure up, but it does. In spades. The title cut finds the band sounding like a cross between Powerage-era AC/DC and Blackfoot; "Go to Hell" could nearly be a radio hit if it weren't for the lyrics, a shabby (but still lively) yarn of cheating wives, guns, and revenge. Those who got accustomed to the band's fast-and-loud ethos may be a little disappointed by the increasingly Southern rock direction on this disc (complete with cowbell), but there's plenty of the band's furious debt to Motörhead to be heard on here as well. Motörhead's Lemmy is even included in the cover art, but it'd be a shame to give away more than that. Don't flinch, or Nashpuss will stick a .44 in your face, a motorcycle boot in your ass, and a joint in your mouth, you pussy.