In between campaigning against the political machine running the United States and hunting, Ted Nugent has somehow found time to record his first studio album since 2007’s forgotten ‘Love Grenade’.
Written by: Dangerzone
ARTIST: Ted Nugent
ALBUM: Shut Up And Jam
LABEL: Frontiers
SERIAL: FRCD 653
YEAR: 2014
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Ted Nugent – vocals, guitar * Derek St. Holmes – guitar, vocals * Greg Smith – bass * Mick Brown – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Shut Up And Jam! * 02 Fear Itself * 03 Everything Matters * 04 She’s Gone * 05 Never Stop Believing * 06 I Still Believe * 07 I Love My BBQ * 08 Throttledown * 09 Do-Rags And A .45 * 10 Screaming Eagles * 11 Semper Fi * 12 Trample The Weak Hurdle The Dead * 13 Never Stop Believing (Blues)
RATING: 90/100
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
In between campaigning against the political machine running the United States and hunting, Ted Nugent has somehow found time to record his first studio album since 2007’s forgotten ‘Love Grenade’.
It’s a shame Nugent is better known these days for his ranting about the decline of the U.S. than his music, but even he seems to realize that on this album, hence the album title.
Nobody has a better grasp of rock like Nugent, so when he’s on form the results are usually worthwhile. Joining Ted as always is Derek St. Holmes, helping keep the 70’s vibe alive, along with veterans Greg Smith and Mick Brown adding their seasoned hands to the fray.
The Songs
This is a solid release, with the sound stripped down to the rock and roll basics in a way that hasn’t been heard since 1982’s ‘Nugent’. This could easily have been released in 1976 and you’d hardly know the difference.
Sammy Hagar shows up for a cameo on ‘She’s Gone’ a real tear up for the two veterans, with Hagar turning the clock back himself in a way his studio albums fail to do these days.
Most of the lyrics are centered on Ted’s belief in the U.S.A. and his ubiquitous patriotism, obvious on tracks like ‘I Still Believe’, ‘Screaming Eagles’ ‘Semper Fi’ and ‘I Love My BBQ’. It may be too much for some to take, but Nugent’s relentless quest to speak his mind in this particular timeframe has to be admired.
The no holds barred ‘Throttledown’ shows Ted Nugent hasn’t toned his act down one bit, the blistering instrumental his heaviest offering in a long time. Then again so is the whole album, the kind of pure hard rock that just isn’t found so easily these days. In that regard singling out songs for individual attention is rather pointless, they’re all excellent.
In Summary
This is likely to attract Ted Nugent die-hards only, but there’s no conceivable way they could be disappointed with it. Looking through Nugent’s discography it’s staggering he hasn’t had a gold album since 1980’s ‘Scream Dream’ and naturally this new one won’t change that, but as far as quality is concerned, Ted Nugent is still on the same page as he was all those years ago.
Ted Nugent on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
