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18 WheelerCharmed Life (BWJ)By Tuyet NguyenPublished on September 21, 2006Rockabilly is an especially specific genre. Despite technological advances in hair goop in the past fifty years or so, the style hasn't deviated too much from slicked-up pompadours and thumping slap-bass lines (even psychobilly counterparts remain true to the general approach). Take stylized guitar riffs and bop 'em out with surf-pop drumbeats, and you've got the archetypal rockabilly sound -- nostalgia to the point of nausea. But that's the lure of retro rock, and 18 Wheeler is one hell of a squirming, greased-up bait. Charmed Life is modern, tattoo-friendly rockabilly, rampant with old rhythm-and-blues twang and twist-n-shout choruses. From classically named tracks like "Let's Bop" to "Hot Rod Man," 18 Wheeler keeps experimentation at a minimum while channeling the spirits of Bill Haley and Buddy Holly. It's wild dance-hall rebellion the way its been done before -- right down to the whiskey-soaked mantras and good ol' American-boy charm.
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