Reverend Horton Heat

Revival (Yep Roc)

Reverend Horton Heat (appearing Friday, July 23, at the Ogden Theatre) was once the James Brown of psycho-billy. But with Revival, his eighth full-length, he's in danger of becoming the genre's George Thorogood. His warmed-over Elvis riffs and sleazy double entendres have never been exactly what you'd call penetrating, but here, his wit is even duller than his licks: Tired lines such as "I'm calling in sick/I'm calling in twisted" are tossed off like fake phone numbers on the back of barroom napkins, and with about as much sincerity. Heat's always been a joker, but the laughs are sounding more and more canned each time around. Granted, the Reverend continues to pack concert halls, and his manic stage presence surely still has the power to electrify an audience -- especially an audience already addled by Budweiser and Dippity-Do. But there's a big difference between belching up brimstone and stoking the briquettes. Revival? At this point in his career, the Reverend needs a full-on resurrection.

 
My Voice Nation Help
0 comments
Sort: Newest | Oldest
 

Concert Calendar

  • May
  • Tue
    21
  • Wed
    22
  • Thu
    23
  • Fri
    24
  • Sat
    25
  • Sun
    26
  • Mon
    27
Denver Event Tickets
©2013 Denver Westword, LLC, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places Denver / Boulder

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city