Volbeat
“Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies”
Vertigo/Universal
Producer: Rob Caggiano
Tracks: 14
Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars
The Danish metal band Volbeat are back with a brand new full length studio album titled “Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies”. The album features 14 new tracks that were produced by former Anthrax guitarist Rob Caggiano. “Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies” is the groups 5th studio album and the follow up release to the 2010 album “Beyond Hell/Above Heaven”.
I first heard Volbeat when I saw them open for Metallica on the “Death Magnetic” tour. The band had this sound that was part Social Distortion part Godsmack. The bands performance really blew me away and I instantly became a fan. “Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies” was an album that I really wanted to like however I think the band has drifted too far from their earlier sound which I loved. Each song on the album seems to feature a mix that is very layered and digital sounding. For me the album listens more like a pop/rock album than a metal album. Songs such as “Lola Montez” and “Cape of Our Hero” are perfect examples of this. Though there was an element of pop on the bands last album however it wasn’t as nearly prevalent.
Don’t get me wrong “Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies” is not a bad album per say. However it caught me a little off guard as I was not expecting such a fluffy, pop laced album. After a few listens through there were a few tracks such as “The Nameless One” and “Room 24” which features a guest appearance buy metal legend King Diamond that I could see myself listening to more than once but as a whole I was a little underwhelmed by the album.
Track Listing:
1.) Let’s Shake Some Dust
2.) Pearl Hart
3.) The Nameless One
4.) Dead But Rising
5.) Cape of Our Hero
6.) Room 24 (Featuring: King Diamond)
7.) The Hangman’s Body Count
8.) My Body
9.) Lola Montez
10.) Black Bart
11.) Lonesome Rider
12.) The Sinner Is You
13.) Doc Holliday
14.) Our Loved Ones
