Let's be up front with this right off the bat. For all of Wino's - the guitarist and vocalist of the Hidden Hand - history in prominent bands like The Obsessed, St. Vitus, Spirit Caravan, etc, he is a workhorse musician who maintains a level of consistency that most bands and songwriters would kill to have. The Resurrection of Whiskey Foote is the third full-length for Wino, bassist Bruce Falkinburg, and (on the record anyway) drummer Evan Tanner. The idea - don't call this a concept record - behind the record is actually quite ambitious.
Bruce Falkinburg states about The Resurrection of Whiskey Foote that is more like little vignettes of a larger story rather than a full-fledged concept album. Personally, I like the setting in the early history of modern America specifically during the time of Bacon's Rebellion or the Whiskey Rebellion - two conflicts that struck against early tyranny here in America. The stories follow a fictitious hero by the name of Whiskey Foote as he traverses the new frontiers.
The Resurrection of Whisky Foote is a very rhythmically oriented album with a number of start/stop passages and arrangements that are spread across the record. Wino's crisp guitar sound and Falkinburg's fuzzed out bass make the recording clear as day. The tone really seems relaxed on the album. "Purple Neon Dream" is the closest thing to a mellow song that I have heard from The Hidden Hand so far; I just wish it were a bit longer. "Dark Horizons" still feels kind of laid back, but it also has this real subtle intensity. The chill atmosphere of "Spiritually Bereft" is good; it is surprising how much I actually enjoy it.
When "The Lesson" makes its presence known, The Resurrection of Whisky Foote really kicks into gear. The vocal arrangement is pretty good and the main riff is awesome. The bass break during the bridge is good stuff. The groove of the title track is just as too good. It works and has just enough boogie in it. The guitar tones are great and the little lead parts make the song. The steady pace keeps "The Resurrection of Whisky Foote" from getting out of control. The vocal arrangements just put the icing on the proverbial cake. The harmonica blowout on "Lightning Hill" really shows this album to be teetering on classic rock territory. I think that is one thing that The Hidden Hand do well on The Resurrection of Whisky Foote, to blur the line between classic rock and modern day relevance, to give an album that is both classic sounding and forward looking at the same time.
The Hidden Hand truly better themselves with The Resurrection of Whisky Foote. It has a great sound. The guitars, bass, drums all sound real good; the vocals also have a real crisp quality. The band maintains their consistency while still expanding on the work of the Devoid of Color EP. Also, if you happened to miss out on getting that EP, it is included on the limited version of The Resurrection of Whisky Foote. All in all, The Resurrection of Whisky Foote is another good release under the collective belt of The Hidden Hand.
