THE HIDDEN HAND – THE RESURRECTION OF WHISKEY FOOTE – 2007 (US) vintage hard rock/stoner rock

The Resurrection of Whisky Foote is a very rhythmically oriented album with a number of start/stop passages and arrangements that are spread across the record. Wino's crisp guitar sound and Falkinburg's fuzzed out bass make the recording clear as day. The tone really seems relaxed on the album. "Purple Neon Dream" is the closest thing to a mellow song that I have heard from The Hidden Hand so far; I just wish it were a bit longer. "Dark Horizons" still feels kind of laid back, but it also has this real subtle intensity. The chill atmosphere of "Spiritually Bereft" is good; it is surprising how much I actually enjoy it.
When "The Lesson" makes its presence known, The Resurrection of Whisky Foote really kicks into gear. The vocal arrangement is pretty good and the main riff is awesome. The bass break during the bridge is good stuff. The groove of the title track is just as too good. It works and has just enough boogie in it. The guitar tones are great and the little lead parts make the song. The steady pace keeps "The Resurrection of Whisky Foote" from getting out of control. The vocal arrangements just put the icing on the proverbial cake. The harmonica blowout on "Lightning Hill" really shows this album to be teetering on classic rock territory. I think that is one thing that The Hidden Hand do well on The Resurrection of Whisky Foote, to blur the line between classic rock and modern day relevance, to give an album that is both classic sounding and forward looking at the same time.
The Hidden Hand truly better themselves with The Resurrection of Whisky Foote. It has a great sound. The guitars, bass, drums all sound real good; the vocals also have a real crisp quality. The band maintains their consistency while still expanding on the work of the Devoid of Color EP. Also, if you happened to miss out on getting that EP, it is included on the limited version of The Resurrection of Whisky Foote. All in all, The Resurrection of Whisky Foote is another good release under the collective belt of The Hidden Hand.

Scott "Wino" Weinrich
Bruce Falkinburg
Matt Moulis
1 Purple Neon Dream
2 Someday Soon
3 Dark Horizons
4 Spiritually Bereft
5 The Lesson
6 Majestic Presence
7 The Resurrection of Whiskey Foote
8 Lightning Hill
9 Broke Dog
10 Slow Rain

What's great about this album, the first I've heard from them, is that it is uplifting, but still heavy and rocking. There is also a qualitative consistency to it. The excellent closer "Slow Rain" and the opener "Purple Neon Dream" sandwich a delicious selection of tight songs with down tuned riffing, cowbells, and harmonicas. Highly recommended.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
Rip from CD 256@ (full artwork included)
Download link
http://link-protector.com/302884/