It’s sometimes a lot of fun to return to a previous era, reminisce about past memories, enjoyable laughs, what really helps that is music, one can know the year, the sound, so when I saw this album on Baron’s private list of reviewable albums, I jumped at the chance for this one. Let me see if I can set the stage, it’s early 1992, grunge music (Nirvana and Pearl Jam) had taken over, the hair metal and hard rock bands unless mega-stars were fading fast, even metal in general was having a harder time staying relevant, but here comes this band Jackyl with swagger, not a caring attitude except for a good ‘ol time and drinking. This is such a fun album! When a Kmart in Georgia refused to sell Jackyl, the band played an impromptu concert in front of the store. Footage of the event was used for the music video of their single “I Stand Alone” – so in the end who won, Jackyl remains and K-Mart died out, ah shucks. The album was distributed by powerhouse Geffen records and had that AC/DC vibe but instead of using dual meaning words hinting to an explicit, they just announce it proudly. This lead off song sets a get tone for everyone, cause gives the motto ain’t gonna take your sh!t extra emphasis.

Yeah, the band went on to release more albums, nothing that really matches this opening debut, and very little in means of change line-up of the band, yet a solid hard working rock band. Now onto the songs…

Next up is the downright fun but sleazy “Dirty Little Mind”, but offensive to some others of then and now still find it to be empowering, cause face, this is to the guys we all dream our girlfriend have this side, look if Billy Joel can include a line about Catholic girls and Bon Jovi had an album ‘Slippery When Wet’ what is so wrong with this song. Nothing but sheer bliss, and the repeated chorus of Dirty.

Then its “Down On Me” it had southern charm and showed some wonderful talent; was their biggest chart pouncing song, next to “The Lumberjack” and “When Will It Rain.” This leads us to that song ‘Rain’ it contains a hint blues infused into the sound, just for a person traveling likely alone, with a rising chorus and tone by the end. How about some punk, that is just what “Redneck Punk” upbeat, in your face, rocking song. “The Lumberjack” says it all, clearly defining a band, with Jesse James Dupree playing/ using a chainsaw, I find it to echo back to how people use spoons, washboards, and even empty buckets to create music, here that powerful tool is wielding by a madman excelling in full bluesy control. I LOVE IT!

“Reach For Me” starts and contains a different sound, it’s still rocking, but I wonder when they recorded it, sometimes one member gets a riff in their head, and catches on, likely that happen. Honestly 30-years later and this next song is um, “Back Off Brother”, I must have switched my feelings over it countless times, sometimes I get it and other times, I sit back and sip the moonshine. Ready for some blues meets metal on “Brain Drain” a hint of AC/DC with lyrics, it’s all about the alcohol and a drummer who likes his cowbell playing time. Another speedy song, slick playing, and fun lyrics, describe himself as a Devil his lover a witch and he’s gonna scratch that itch. *Sinful grin* A rocking song, lining us up for a sleazy finale. It concludes with down and dirty song born for clubs and live shows, it’s called “She Loves My Cock,” first it is what caused K-Mart in Georgia to ban the album, in addition to the artwork. Although a clean version took its place, but why purchase that, a simple parental warning sticker over the c-word. It’s a heavy but fun song, use your imagination.

Track List:

I Stand Alone

Dirty Little Mind

Down on Me

When Will It Rain

Redneck Punk

The Lumberjack

Reach for Me

Back Off Brother

Brain Drain

Just Like a Devil

She Loves My Cock

Band Members

Jesse James Dupree – Vocals & Chainsaw

Jimmy Stiff – Guitars

Jeff Worley – Guitars

Thomas Bettini – Bass

Chris Worley – Drums

There’s a lot of memorable songs from the album, yeah some of the lyrics might seem very tongue planted firmly in the cheek to others it’s juvenile, but for rocking fans, it’ a solid pleasure; no power ballads, perhaps a few screwy love songs its essential to own it and heavy roaring at your party.

Vincent’s rating: 4.0/5.0