NI rockers Trucker Diablo led a truly charmed life almost from the moment they formed in early 2008. They toured relentlessly and wrote some truly fantastic songs, resulting in a huge fan base and some spectacular gigs (Download, anyone?) as well as airplay on Kerrang! TV and the inclusion of their song ‘Drink Beer, Destroy’ on Xbox’s Rock Band 3. Signed to Ripple Music in the US and Bad Reputation in Europe, they released two albums – 2012’s The Devil Rhythm and 2013’s Songs of Iron – in short, things were going swimmingly.
Then in early 2014, the wheels fell off the Big Truck. The band announced the departure of guitarist Simon Haddock, who was leaving to concentrate on family life. A few short months later, they further announced that they were in fact going on hiatus. Farewell gigs followed at their beloved Diamond Rock Club and the Comber Rec Centre.
And that was that…until mere months later, when their Facebook account began to stir into life again. Could it be…? Sure enough, a new single – ‘Party Like They Started the End of the World’ – was posted in October 2014, as well as the announcement that the band had created a crowdfunder on Pledge for a new album. Said crowdfunder hit its target in a few short weeks, and the Big Truck was a-rolling again.
The resulting album, Rise Above the Noise, was launched at – where else? – the Diamond on March 7th (our trusty scribe Al Gilmore was there; you can read his review here. With Haddock returned to the fold and new bassist Jim McGurk in place, an invigorated Trucker are back and hoping to take up where they left off, with sets at Steelhouse and Hard Rock Hell already announced.
The album opens with ‘Fight Life’, a rousing number full of slinky, sleazy riffs and vocalist Tom Hartes’ trademark throaty, whiskey-soaked voice. There’s a real Black Stone Cherry feel to this song; it’s very Southern rock, almost country in places, and catchy as hell. Radio friendly, yes, but still ballsy. It’s followed by that lead single, ‘Party…’, which does exactly what it says on the tin: it’s a rollicking good-time number, with a harder edge than the first track and a tasty guitar solo to boot.
This is an album full of highlights, but also full of different styles and genres. From the earnest and mature not-quite-ballad ‘Somebody Save Me’ to the sassy-riffed classic rock of ‘Girl In a Photograph’; from the swampy, dank vibe of ‘deal with the devil’ number ‘Take Me To the River’ to the bittersweet, riff-driven album closer ‘Don’t Cry’, it really covers the spectrum of bluesy, Southern-style classic rock with aplomb and enthusiasm.
For this reviewer, the two standout tracks demonstrate this broad range: the aforementioned ‘Party…’ and beautiful ballad ‘Where Angels Fly’. Featuring The Quireboys Keith Weir on piano, this is a proper rock ballad complete with yearning lyrics (for a loved one who has passed) and a genuinely moving feel. Goosebump-inducing.
It’s safe to say that the reaction to TD’s return from their brief hiatus has been phenomenal, with their delighted fans eagerly jumping back on board. ‘Rise Above the Noise’ is nothing short of a rock gem, full of instantly catchy tunes that will ensure that future gigs are a triumph. Sure, there may be the odd rock cliché here and there, but the album is so well put together and the songs so well executed that the listener just smiles and nods in recognition at the ‘sexy woman’ track, the ‘screw the ex’ number, the ‘on the road’ song…it’s clear, basically, that Trucker Diablo’s charmed life seems set to continue – and quite rightly, too.
◀ STANDOUT ⁞ Party Like They Started The End Of The World ▶
◀ SOUNDS LIKE ⁞ Black Stone Cherry ▶
