I suppose it's possible to keep A Thousand Knives of Fire separate from Halfway to Gone, but it won't be easy and it won't be done by me. Even though there's only one core member from Halfway (guitarist and now vocalist Lee Stuart, although drummer Danny Gollin receives credit alongside Monster Magnet's Bob Pantella), A Thousand Knives of Fire's sound is unmistakably similar to the New Jersey three-piece who once threatened, “Back of my hand/Gonna give you a fat lip.” The band may not sound as hell-bent as “Holiday in Altamont” or “Couldn't Even Find a Light,” but they're certainly just as burly and boozy as “Turnpike” or “Great American Scumbag,” with plenty of that southern-by-way-of-Jersey rock charm. And like Halfway to Gone's three releases, The Last Train to Scornsville has more than its fair share of instrumentals (as Stuart's not as strong a vocalist as Lou Gorra, that works in the band's favor). So obviously, if you liked High Five, Second Season, or Halfway to Gone, then slide on up to the bar, because The Last Train to Scornsville has pretty much the same brand of poison. You're going to get your rollicking shit kickers (“Leeds County Devil,” “She's Yours”), some groove-friendly stompers (the title track, the numerically out of order “Yeah Part 2” and “Yeah Part 1”), and some down home balladry (“Nothing in Life's for Free”). I suppose it's unfair to A Thousand Knives of Fire to say they're a fine substitute, but given the similarities, it's hard to avoid doing so (and hell, it's not like they're The Firm to Halfway's Zeppelin). Let's just say if you've got a hankering for some dirty Jersey swamp rock, get on board The Last Train to Scornsville. It's worth the trip. -John Pegoraro (StonerRock.com)
Track Listing:
01. One Eyed Jack
02. Leeds County Devil
03. Hey Buddy
04. She's Yours
05. Nothing in Life's for Free
06. Last Train to Scornsville
07. Yeah Part 2/Thanks for Negeven
08. Hold Your Nose
09. Yeah Part 1
10. The Day After
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