ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY/HALFWAY TO GONE - SPLIT (2000)

Here's a split release from everyone's favorite sons of the south, ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY, paired with New Jersey (and SOLARIZED) expatriates HALFWAY TO GONE. As splits go, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more likely tandem. Aside from both sides kicking ass to the Nth degree, this split is also notable for being H2G's debut. "Thee Song" might actually be the highlight of the record, though it's hard to overlook the mighty ATP's two contributions. I enjoy the more recent Kyle Thomas ATP stuff, but these tracks are a trip down memory lane...back to the Johnny Thockmorton-fronted Man's Ruin days. Four fantastic shots of the absolute top shelf of whiskey rock.

1. ATP - Heavyweight
2. ATP - Rabdos (The Strangler)
3. H2G - Darktown Strutter
4. H2G - Thee Song

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ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY - STARING AT THE DIVINE (2002)

I was pleased to see someone request Staring at the Divine, yet another Man's Ruin casualty (re-recorded and re-released on Relapse) brought to you by the good folks at G.O.M.E. Possibly the band's most focused effort, this album eschews ATP's stylistic experimentalism in favor of straight-out RAWKIN'. The one-two punch of "Whore Adore" and "Hunting by Echo" (ATP's greatest song, in my opinion) in the middle of the album is absolutely devastating, and tailor-made for the G.O.M.E. faithful. If any of you are planning a trip to the southern US to pick up some authentic corn whiskey, Staring at the Divine is the perfect soundtrack.

1. Ol' Faithful
2. Motor Ready
3. Shapeshifter
4. Whore Adore
5. Hunting by Echo
6. Beck and Call
7. Twilight Arrival
8. Esteem Fiend
9. S.S.D.D.
10. Amounts That Count

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ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY - RIVER CITY REVIVAL (1999)

Looking over the ol' blarg, I noticed the glaring absence of one of my favorite bands - ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY. River City Revival is yet another Man's Ruin casualty, and a great one at that. ATP's revolving door of lead singers has certainly cost them a potential following, and they were still honing their craft at this point, but it's an excellent dose of high-powered rock & roll. "Dryspell" and "Giving up on Living" are absolutely kickass, and well worth the price of admission (or download time) on their own. To the uninitiated, ATP isn't exactly "stoner rock". This is WHISKEY ROCK. Corn whiskey if you can find it.

1. Dryspell
2. Spineless
3. Heathen
4. Mosquito
5. Giving up on Living
6. Own Worst Enemy
7. Rockin' Is Ma Business

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