Reverend Horton HeatWhole New Life

Reverend Horton Heat will be keeping fans jiving with their latest album, Whole New Life when it’s released on Friday 30th November via Victory Records.

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Although it has only been four years since the west-southerners last put out an album, fans have been anticipating this one for sometime coming … and with over 35 years worth of records neatly tucked into their buckled belts, the Texan outfit have recently become a quartet for their 12th musical production which will reinstate their prominence within the rockabilly and psychobilly genre’s.

Introducing the album with the self-titled single Whole New Life, frontman Jim (Reverend Horton) Heath takes us on a monumental journey with his band; drummer RJ Contreras backs a rhythmic path for Jimbo Wallace to pluck away at his stand-up bass, which paves the way for the Reverend to charge his smooth riffs into … And since the trio has welcomed pianist Matt Jordan to the band, there are electrifying ballads which have incorporated the new melodies that will have feet a’tapping along to their vibrant music.

Although the lyrics within this album have explored mature themes that range from Heath’s experiences—with growing up poor to later in life rejoicing into monuments such as marriage and parenthood—there is an enthusiastically cathartic tone within the words sung throughout.

As we move into the following tracks, Hog Tyin’ Woman chimes in with a crisp “woo!”, which flows into a song’s worth of chorus’ and deep rhythmic grooves.

Fast forward to track five and we encounter some swift Misfits-esque riffs and harrowing vocals during Don’t Let Go of Me.

Ride Before The Storm comes in with a powerful opening which skips into the rhythm of Wallace’s bass, thundering listeners through the distant vocal roars and coming out on the clit-a-clattering of Contreras’ cymbal ridden drumming as the instrumental comes to a triumphant close.

Ringing out with the album with a bopping memory of times well spent, Viva Las Vegas showcases the brilliance of Jordan’s pianist abilities, thus placing an emphasis on the band’s progression of timeless instrumentation.

Tying the album neatly together is their signature tone of reverberation, Fender amps, Heath’s preferences of Gretsch and Gibson guitars, piano rhythms taken out of the 60s, captivated by the intensity of rhythmic drive from the backline. Tail this to their ongoing tour, and you’ve got a heightened emphasis as to why Reverend Horton Heat remain acclaimed as the godfathers of psychobilly.