Funky Blues
'Stand Your Ground' is a sly album that marks its spot between punk and blues in the record shop, before shaking its booty with such vigour that the other album choices just melt away.
Kicking off with, 'Bailing Out', an ode to rich blues with quick guitarwork and a shuffling beat, this record is infused with classic rock excellence, while 'Love You' carries a smooth, slick chorus above its jazzy guitar tricks and rumbling rhythm. This is the side of 70's fret fumbling that Wolfmother should be aiming for with their intentions to set their fingers alight firmly met here in tunes that remain seriously cool and funky.
'Pin That Badge' adds a syncopated rhythm and tight percussion with a hip-hop slickness to its bump n'grind beat. There's more of a laidback Chili Peppers vibe to 'Yeah We Know You' with rippling riffs that are definitely reminiscent of Frusciante's sharp fretwork, matched with chilled vocals that are almost an afterthought behind the strolling guitar melody. 'Green Eyed Fool' takes on a slow swagger imbued with insouciant blues cool, while 'Cash In' offers big ballsy riffs matched with falsetto vocal winding their way through the rumbling rhythm.
If you fancy equal parts shimmying guitarwork and smooth bluesy funk, then Little Barrie could get you moving for sure. After a while the sound does feel a little limited but it's a sturdy album with enough cool tunes to carry it and a fantastic chilled out vibe.