Delta
Rubikon
Round Hill Records, 2015
Boston’s a great town for music with a long pedigree of solid rock acts to call it home. Smart, cultured, dirty enough, Image may be NSFW.
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and thuggish enough to still rock properly this is the sort of town that develops a band like Rubikon.
Opening track “Live That Lie,” kicks off the disc with the gritty declaration “Well I’ve been knocked down and kicked, and lied to.” Agitated and impassioned, they stomp and squall with a determined retro sound. Through nine more numbers that feel like the best bits of 1974 hard rock hit parade. With elements of all the heavy hitting bands, Sabbath, Zeppelin, Purple, what stands out on several tracks is the jazzy organ touches in between the swampy slide guitar licks.
“Through the Looking Glass” is the bands weird little left turn. The song is a solid mimicking of Steely Dan, and it’s pure honey. With a deep groove, restrained playing and unhurried pace, the song shows considerable and unexpected depth.
“Pretty, Pretty” is the most up to date track in the deep sleazy vein of stoner metal. Everything about it is huge and over the top.
Distorted and driven, you may find yourself seriously considering trading in your Prius for a muscle car after repeated listenings.
www.rubikonmusic.com
