Album Review: Jackson Firebird - Cock Rockin'

It is obvious from the album title – Cock Rockin' – and artwork of a naked lady that Mildura duo Jackson Firebird aren't into making anything arty or intellectual. In fact this record could be one of the dumbest albums to be released in 2012. This isn't exactly a detrimental thing however – there is a time and place for rock to discard the robes of concept, pretention and intricacy and just belt out the tunes. From the opening title track yelps of “Motherfucker!” to upholding the merits of various degrees of sex/drugs/rock'n'roll, Cock Rockin' is not mincing about. The lyrics are barely beyond basic for the most part also, with most songs consisting of repetitive lines, grunts and yeah's.

And that is the point.

Brendan Harvey's guitar is amazingly raucous, at times mirroring Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys (a huge influence as Red Light shows) and at other points aping The Mess Hall's Jed Kurzel (Goin' Out West). In fact there are so many influences littered all over the shop, lit with neon – an Angus Young riff here, a Tex Perkins growl there – that it threatens to overshadow how sinuous and muscular these tracks are. Harvey and Dale Hudak (drums/vocals) are an explosive team. There are elements of Beastie Boys rap on Quan Dang and Sweet Eloise that fall flat, whilst the generic nature of all the tracks will grow old for some in a very short period of time, yet Jackson Firebird are obviously a live band, and these tracks are made for blowing roofs off corner pubs. With that in mind Cock Rockin' is a strong calling card.