Papa Pilko And The Binrats revisit a bygone era of swampy, bluesy, downright sleazy rock and roll with aplomb.
While much has been made of their rowdy, high-energy hip swinging live performances in the past year, this EP is testament to the precociousness of the country rock revivalists.
Their follow up to 2011’s self titled offering, Howlin’ may only be five tracks in length, but it more than makes up for brevity with a selection of smouldering, shoulder shruggingly good tracks that only serve to whet your appetite for a full length album.
It could be all too easy to compare front man Cyrus Pilko’s whisky soaked howls and croons to Jim Morrison, but Pilko has a devil-may-care charisma all unto his own, although he certainly nails the Morrison-esque growl circa L..A. Woman on bluegrassy, banjo led ‘Boardwalk Blues’.
Opening track ‘Back Home’ is a riotous piece of honky-tonk fun, a rollicking blend of banjo with a good dose of harmonica action that sets the tone, while the sexy drama of ‘Some Kind Of Evil’ delves deeper into the bluesier side of the band, filled with sorrowful croons and the loungey down-tempo creates a rather sultry atmosphere indeed.
Title track closes the EP with just the right level of rambunctious energy and roars to a sweat soaked finale.
Howlin’ is truly a testament to the talent of this seven-piece outfit who are on the steady incline to bigger and better things.
