Rating: NNN
Tiger Army drummer Fred Hell was shot four times in a home invasion robbery in 2003, so I really wanted to like this record. Thank goodness it’s good. Hell didn’t play on the recording, but you’ll be pleased to know he’s all better now save for a bullet still lodged in his head, and he’s back behind the drum kit. Tiger Army employ twang, stand-up bass and some singalong choruses, but while they’ve been dubbed psychobillies, there’s a lot of 50s rock ‘n’ roll on Ghost Tigers Rise, and perhaps less psycho-ness than you might expect, and even some nods either intentional or otherwise to late 70s/early 80s metal and hair rock in the guitar riffs. The tunes are melodic and catchy. The lyrics could be a tad less dour and use a bit more humour, but in this case it’s all forgivable.
Tiger Army join the crowds on the Warped Tour at Barrie’s Molson Park Saturday (August 14).
