The Hentchmen - The Hentchmen
- Written by Kenneth McMurtrie
In dog years The Hentchmen are probably at the stage where they rival Ol' Yeller when pension day rolls around but they're as on their game now as they were way back when Estrus released the Ypsilanti's Newest Hit Makers EP 16 years ago. They've remained a rocking three-piece, an old dog with no need to learn any new tricks. Still providing the essential sound for a kegger (assuming you're being educated in the US) the Farfisa-driven assemblage here lacks nothing in terms of raucous energy, psychy menace and foot stomping fun.
They lurch straight out of the traps with the grooving stomp of 'Messed Up My Brain' then it's onto the sludge-heavy 'Iron Pimp'. Garage songs lamenting the loss of people fond of large molluscs aren't too common but the balance is somewhat redressed here with the neat and jaunty 'Claude's Remains' wherein its late subject ends up beside the cephalopod of his affections.
Proceedings take a boozy turn on 'Aladdin's Castle' and that organ's used to very good effect in the solo passages. 'Bottled Up' is a darker and more contemplative number expounding the benefits of a second opinion in matters of medicine. Spare and forceful is the order of the day on 'On My Way Home', the sound of a man who means business once's through that front door.
Having a lack of luck with the ladies is always a popular song topic and The Hentchmen bring 'Accusatory' into that particular fray but unfortunately it doesn't really seem to live up to its early promise. Much better is 'Old Enough To Drive' with its emotive guitar and organ solos. It’s back to the bar-room for the positively country 'Knockin' At My Door' – clearly the best place to be if your home's about to get demolished. Album closer 'No Juke Box Hits' goes all lat night horror movie at one point but is a pretty effective tune to end on nonetheless, given that it well reflects the band's MO for the last couple of decades.
