I agree with cork 1958 | Justice

These Guys Keep Beating The Odds | Justice | Molly Hatchet

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	• Justice Molly Hatchet Steamhammer Us, 2010 average customer review:based on 11 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Justice...be careful what you wish for...

Molly Hatchet's newest release Justice has been on my "must-have" list of Cds since not long after their last studio album Rainbow Bridge. Hatchet has steadily remained my favorite Southern Rock group and one of my favorite groups period.

I've always enjoyed their cover art as well, some of the best there is. Esp. the ones from the late Frank Frazetta RIP. This one keeps in in the Hatchet tradition with another Paul Raymond Gregory cover that I found quite similar to the Devils Canyon cover art.

The next thing I noticed, as far as the jacket is concerned, is the serious need for proof-reading. This thing is riddled with typos. Hell, even the track listing on the back has track #10 as In the Darkness of the LIGHT instead of Night! Really sloppy work from SPV/Steamhammer, someone should've caught these mistakes. It really looks unprofessional.

Was very excited to get the opportunity to see them live last year and to see the return of Dave Hlubek...Which added to the anticipation of a new Hatchet release, I was seriously hoping to see Hlubeks name in the writing credits, but alas, not one single song had his name on it!?

Perhaps I expected too much and thus was let down a little upon the first few spins. It did grow on me a little though.

One constant with Hatchet is their musicianship, it's always top-notch, there is always scorching leads, great melodies, riffs, heavy drumming, the whole nine yards. I suppose the one thing that really detracts from this album is the lack of really stand-out lyrics and vocals. They come off as corny and cliche often. Some lyrics just don't make any sense, for instance, "They will fight for freedom and what is wrong"--In the Darkness of the Night. And Phil's voice is just too much sometimes, too loud and brash and often times lacking passion, coming off with a forced sound, especially on the ballads. He sounds much better on the hell-raisin stompers and boogie tunes--which is why people buy Hatchet albums, not for the corn-ball ballads.

Overall it's a solid release, there are several cool tunes, the title track Justice is one, Vengeance, Heaven/Hell, Safe in my Skin, Darkness of the Night, American Pride are all great songs with lots of shredding by Ingram...not really sure if I can hear Hlubek or not--maybe they forgot to turn his amp on...
Seems to be a lot more keyboards on this one too.

Generally the album focuses a lot on themes of Justice, Vengeance etc. and is reflected by the Head-hunter on the cover. I suppose the Somer Thompson song is the seed of this theme.

One reviewer was correct when saying that this New Hatchet is basically Bobby Ingram and Co. With Dave Hlubek back on board, but seemingly having no input and none of the spotlight, I wonder, was this just a strategic move to make the band look more legitimate with the inclusion of an original founding member to hush the naysayers?

Ingram does seem to love the spotlight, one can't help but notice it live. Even this new release has Ingram's photo on top of page 1, whilst the rest of the bands photos come 7 pages later, smaller, at the bottom...He's a great guitarist and songwriter no doubt---but I can't help but think this band could be better if he would share some of the glory.

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I agree with cork 1958

Having seen Hatchet the fist time in 1977 at the Bayou in DC and falling in love with the music, I kinda do not understand some who think this album is reminiscent of the Hatchet glory days. It is good but nowhere close to the 1st 5 records Hatchet put out musically. I listened to this album twice through before I came to any final conclusions.

1. There are some good songs on the lp. Is it outstanding? No, but it is a good record.
2. If Bobby Ingram would stop trying to outdo his guitarists and play WITH them, this album would be even better.

First. The album does have some nice rocking tunes though Phil singing the ballads does not work. He has a great voice for pumping the harder songs out, but his voice does not do well on the ballads. I have seen Phil perform since his days at West Springfield High School here in Va and then with the Dixie Roadducks, and he is the closet thing to Brown I have heard. However, let him belt the words out.

Second. In listening to this album, I would like to hear BOTH Bobby and Hlubek. Bobbys playing constantly overshadows Hlubek. What made Hatchet great beside Brown was how Roland, Hlubek, and Holland complimented each other and not trying to outdo each other. There are a more than a few times on this record where Ingram sounds as if he is trying to show the music fan that he, Ingram. is the "MAN". Ingram is a very talented guitar player but so is Hlubek. With Hatchet in the late 1970s and early 1980s each guitar player had his defined role, and you could tell who was whom without any of of the three trying to outdo the other. Here you clearly know it is Ingram taking charge and not letting Hlubek show his skills.

Finally, if this band is to become more than a county fair band, Bobby must let the guys show there skills and work along with them to bring the band tighter together. Bass and drums are fine though bass was a bit to loud at times. They have the musicians to put out a killer LP. I hope Bobby figures it that before it is to late.

Also the point about the typos on the cover is well taken. This was a very poor job by SPV and they need to do something about this soon. The artwork too is ok but to much like the 2005 album.

This album though I would say is better than the 2005 album.

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These Guys Keep Beating The Odds

When my turntable broke in the 80's along with my old 8 tracks and tapes my first thought was I gotta find this band on CD. Well, Since that time Ive built the entire MH catalog back up and caught them live at the Rams Head tavern two years ago and I gotta say these guys Still Rock and maybe harder then the shows I caught in the 80's Bands seem to use add ons or sound alikes to enhance the original. The current MH line up is as strong if not in their own way even more powerful than the original. Phil McCormacks vocals never sounded stronger!! Give me a Hell Yeah I said it and Dave and Bobbys guitars are blazing. Tim may be the best bass player In Southern or all of rock and Shawns shredding those skins along with Johns top notch keyboard playing. Opening track kicks the tone off for one Southern Style rocking adventure from start to finish. Personal favs may be American Pride Vengence and Justice along with the moving track Fly on Wings of Angels (Somers Song) for Somer Thompson Foundation. This band is one CLASS ACT and should be applauded for staying true to the fans themselves and Southern Rock. May God bless the Peacemakers and all thats good in this world. Thank you Molly Hatchet for three decades of the Best that Southern Rock has to offer and heres to the ride ahead for the band and its fans

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Another top notch release from the Jacksonville boys

This album simply rocks out. Some of the guys in the band must be pushing 60 now but you'd never know it listening to this album. They epitomize Southern Rock and I am so happy to see a new release from them. If you love good rock 'n' roll with a Southern flavor then this album will definitely not disappoint you. Molly Hatchet are one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands ever and they still sound phenomenal. One thing I would add, if you love Molly Hatchet then you really need to check out another Florida band, Rebel Pride. They carry the torch for all that is great about the music we love and I guarantee you will not be disappointed if you give them a listen. Thank God for Molly Hatchet, Rebel Pride and for what's left of Lynyrd Skynyrd for keeping the flame burning.

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To Bobby Ingram, brain, guitarist and main songwriter of American Southern rock act Molly Hatchet, the term `justice' is more than just a word. To him, this basic concept expresses his whole philosophy of life. Justice, fairness, trust between friends, family members, parents and their children: what could be more important? Molly Hatchet live this maxim, to them this solemn promise applies not only within the international Southern rock community, but also to their music and its impact on their fans. A dozen haunting rock numbers prove that Molly Hatchet are justly considered to be on a par with legends such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers. Justice is marked by hot Southern rock that could hardly be more powerful and diverse. Almost every single track signals its musical and thematic direction. Producer Ingram is responsible for the awesome sound, supported by sound engineer Tommy Newton, who mixed the album. "I wanted a warm, natural sound, which you only get with an analog mixing desk," Ingram explains his decision in favor of Newton and his Area 51 studio. And so Justice has turned into an album that impresses at all levels: earthy, dynamic, with a lot of love for detail and loads of energy. One could say it's Molly Hatchet at their best!

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