[rating-6.00]
Scott H. Biram’s newest release on Bloodshot Records (his fifth for the label) contains his usual mix of raw hill country blues and folk with splashes of punk and metal a pretty unique combo. Nothin’ But Blood rolls out over 10 tracks plus a few bonus gospel cuts as Biram is equally at home picking his acoustic or riffing on electric exploring the yin and yang of day to day filthy, muddy living.
Beginning things “Slow & Easy” there are layers of acoustic guitars while Biram sings with a tight mouthed vocal style as if he doesn’t want his dip to slip out. Other acoustic numbers are the softer yet bleak “Never Comin Home”, “Nam Weed” which is straight from the 60’s folk era and “I’m Troubled” which finds Biram changing up his vocal style, almost copping a young Dylan, with a nasal projection. The tune benefits from some dexterous picking and harmonica work, but Biram’s shifting musical style including his vocals can be jarring.
Those shifts are more apparent when the self proclaimed “Dirty Old One Man Band” decides to turn up the juice. “Alcohol Blues” gets raw as fuck with lyrics that might make you blush over a meaty riff. “Only Whiskey” is a mule kicking in the stall, emanating raucous solo punk rock. The refrain “Only whiskey can sleep in my bed” makes it an ode to his true love while the cover of “Backdoor Man” is a great fit as is the deep slide blues of “Jack Of Diamonds”.
“Church Points Girls” stays with the heavy dirty blues but isn’t as successful and the disk closing metal of “Around the Bend” proves you don’t need a full band to toss up devil horns and bang your head, but it sure helps if you do.
