Amplified Heat
How Do You Like the Sound of That (Arclight)In 2004, Austin’s Ortiz brothers were involved in an altercation on Red River that left bassist Gian and drummer Chris hospitalized with multiple stab wounds, delaying the power trio’s ability to record a follow-up to their carnivorous debut LP, In for Sin. Three years later, they come out swinging for opener “Tough Guy,” guitarist and vocalist Jim Ortiz taunting, “Been talkin’ shit for far too long, the time has to come to fight. Let’s git it on!” and following with a flurry of guitar solos from all directions. The Heat’s vengeful onslaught continues with the bluesy “She Drank That Wine,” new rockabilly standard “What Went Wrong,” and the fiery, self-descriptive instrumental “Amplified Boogie.” The Ortiz brothers never pull their punches, but drunken Bo Diddley romp “Moonshine,” the panning title track, and closer “Sickness” don’t quite hit the mark, struggling to kill the time between bourbon-fueled breakdowns. Though revenge is best served cold, How Do You Like the Sound of That should’ve amped the heat index a few degrees.
This article appears in September 28 • 2007.