Hawk Attack

From the opening song, "Brew Ha Ha," Hawk Attack celebrates rock's hedonistic era. Yes, there is a hint of early solo Ted Nugent here and there in the guitar harmonics of "Set 'Em Up," but it's not some ironic pose or attempt to sound just like another band. The crunchy,...

By Tom Murphy

September 21, 2011

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From the opening song, "Brew Ha Ha," Hawk Attack celebrates rock's hedonistic era. Yes, there is a hint of early solo Ted Nugent here and there in the guitar harmonics of "Set 'Em Up," but it's not some ironic pose or attempt to sound just like another band. The crunchy, distorted melody and guitar lead of "Drunk Chicks" are Southern-flavored rock à la .38 Special, with a dash of Night Ranger. Everyone knows "Social Distortion Guy," and "Chicks" has the singer seeming to own those qualities with the attitude — but not the stupid bravado — you'd expect. All around, it's the kind of album you'd enjoy if you miss a time when rock-and-roll bands played dive bars and had to deliver the goods or get their asses kicked.

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Tom Murphy is a writer, visual artist and musician from Aurora, Colorado. He was a prolific music writer for Westword and a documenter of the Denver music scene.

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Twitter: @simianthinker