The PR blurb goes something like this: “Legendary Australian rockers The Beasts Of Bourbon release their first ever UK album of new songs on July 30. Entitled LITTLE ANIMALS it was recorded and mixed in just three days. And it will KICK YOUR ARSE.” And it friggin’ well does!

Opener ‘I Don’t Care About Nothing Anymore’ has just got to be the most bloody and bruised love song you will ever hear. It’s rough hewn, crash and burn blues rock like I’ve not heard for far too many years. The strong rhythm makes it a song that should be played in every alternative dance venue in the land. In fact I can imagine punters with fists pumping the air, chanting the simple and powerful lyrics. Play it in your car, play in your bath, play in your lounge, just play it… Next up is ‘I’m Gone’ with its 70’s rock ambience and guitar riffs to match, but bettered by what follows, the dark and lumbering love ditty ‘I Told You So.’ There’s something magical here in the way the band have managed to isolate the instrumental and vocal solos so there’s a listening focus on them, while making it all come together beautifully. And this on an album that only took a few days to complete! ‘Little Animals’ is a stripped down, glacial, melodic beauty with a mesmerising, repeated guitar refrain in the background, and Tex Perkins’ great, Cash-esque voice dominating. The final segment is then carried by a formidable bass guitar passage. It’s a ballad and a half! Other highlights include the solid blues rock of ‘Sleepwalker,’ the mournful death march vibe of ‘New Day Of The Dead,’ and the final amazing song ‘Thanks’ which sounds like a jam with terrific lyrics: “Thanks for the cocaine and the epidural that got me and her through….”

This is one of those rare albums that demands an active response from the listener; it is not a record to be played quietly and just listened to. The song writing is simple, compelling and sometimes quite humourous. The traditional rock sound is enhanced by top level performances and one-take, jam style recording with mastering and production that reveals all the juicy nuances. There’s also a couple of amazing rock anthems here including the barnstorming opener. Like the record? I fucking love it!

4.5/5