Review: Left Lane Cruiser - Bring Yo Ass to the Table

Label: Alive Naturalsound

Released: January 8, 2008

"Billy Gibbons, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways." That's likely what goes through Left Lane Cruiser guitarist Freddy J IV's head as he pines away for his guitar hero. Gibbons' influence on Freddy's playing is unmistakable and perhaps wearing his influences on his sleeve like that should count against him to some extent, but...well, how many people have imitated that fat, rich, dirty ZZ Top guitar tone? Not many. And done it this well? Perhaps none.

The bottom line here is that Left Lane Cruiser takes ZZ Top's Texas boogie (you know, the stuff they did on the early records, before the pop sheen of "Tube Snake Boogie" or "Legs"), strips it down to the lo-fi garage rock approach it was meant for and throws in a little bit of psychobilly craziness. True, it's somewhat limited in scope, but the sound fully fills its intended space.

Ratings
Satriani: 7/10
Zappa: 6/10
Dylan: 6/10
Aretha: 8/10
Overall: 7/10

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