I hated "Smoke On This" by REX BROWN, and Toledo, Ohio rockers FIVE HORSE JOHNSON, formed in 1995, have been nice enough to validate my criticism with "Jake Leg Boogie" (released June 30). This is their latest effort after Blues For Henry (1996), Double Down (1997) Fat Black Pussy Cat (1999), The No. 6 Dance (2001), The Last Men On Earth (2003), The Mystery Spot (2006) and The Taking of Black Heart (2013). This album differentiates itself very slightly from Brown's effort in a way that deserves closer examination.

Brown was a decent vocalist, but Oblander is grittier and therefore more in keeping with a blues style. Not least in all this is the harmonica, an instrument which I'd like to see more in metal. It lends a certain authenticity to the heavy blues influence that most rock bands coming from the style that FIVE HORSE JOHNSON seeks to emulate didn't use in any case.

This album evinces the same problem that plagues PRIMUS. Said band boast very interesting and engaging licks, but while Claypool certainly can play the bass, he tends to wring out what he does compose. On this album it's the drums that particularly suffer from lack of variation. In so many words, it's repetitive, but the monotony is alleviated by the strength of the riff in question. "Hard Times" is emblematic, with its lively opening melody, while "Magic Man" sits at the opposite end of the spectrum, the entire song swirling together into a hazy miasma.

For that matter, the songs are very similar. Without the aforementioned harmonica there's very little to differentiate them, especially considering the use of standard blues percussion rhythm. "Jake Leg Boogie" is a good opener with its slightly funky beat, even if it is a Southern version of "Sweet Emotion". "Ropes and Chains" bears the interesting production motif of a loud blurry bass that reminds me of the unique tone employed by BLACK HARVEST. The bluntly labeled "Last Song" finishes the album with a very sober texture that distinguishes it very starkly from the rest in a refreshing fashion.

So we return to the REX BROWN comparison. This album is better because it possesses exactly the same stylistic traits with significantly improved riffing. Yes, for the most part it's also cigars and whiskey, but you get the impression that while FIVE HORSE JOHNSON don't shell out for Balvenie, they're discriminating enough to pick up Evan Williams over Jack Daniels.