[rating=8.00]
Listening to T. Hardy Morris and the Hardknocks will leave you feeling dirty, in a really good way. There’s something so disheveled and gritty about his twangy sound, and he’s been bringing it to countless stages on tours with both the Hardknocks and his side project Diamond Rugs all year. Morris is just the right amount of punk rock with a little country swagger and a carefree rock and roll energy that electrifies the songs on his new record with the Hardknocks, Drownin’ on a Mountaintop. Similar to a band like Deer Tick (and furthermore, Diamond Rugs), Morris and his band are not so easy to categorize, which gives them a wide appeal amongst listeners who like to head bang in garages and ones who like a little side of neon and sliding steel guitar with their ice cold beers.
Morris’ uninhibited and perfectly messy howl is ideal for the songs on Mountaintop. He screams and shouts and sometimes even wanders off a little, all the while keeping enough composure to stay polished, and losing himself just enough to remain authentic. His songs range from old school country heartbreaker ballads like “Just like the Movies” to unhinged drinking songs like “Shit in the Wind”, and vintage throwback doo wop-tinged tunes like “Young Assumption”. Just when you think he’s garage rock, he turns rockabilly, and it’s this unpredictability that lends itself to all of the best parts of Mountaintop. This record may sound like a party, but even when he gets down and out and sadly sings “Love is a language/With no subtitles” on “Just like the Movies”, it lands just right and hits the spot.
The melodies on Mountaintop are addictive and will make for a blast of a live show, filled with fans holding their beers up in solidarity during songs like “My Me”, “Starting Gun” and “Cut and Dry”. Songs like these ones are ideal for tearing up the floor, whether in a jumping, drink-sloshing mosh, or just some good ol’ ass shaking. The slide guitar notes on “Cut and Dry” elevate it from chanting rock song to something much cheekier and more interesting. Paired with Morris’ wild rasp, it’s a delicious contrast. “My Me” is a rebellious punk stomper that will no doubt appeal to fans of Deer Tick’s John McCauley’s similarly humorous insubordination, and “Littleworth” is chock full of sing-a-long-ready lines like “It may sound lazy/But the truth hurts”. These are party songs, even when the party fades to black, like on “Quieter (When I Leave Town)”, an end of the night honkytonk number, and the aforementioned tear-jerker “Just like the Movies”.
Of the many things that make Mountaintop so special, and what makes Morris and the Hardknocks stand out as a band, is the sheer amount of energy and personality that’s so evident in these songs. Morris has continued to define himself as a solo artist after making his unique voice heard loud and clear in Dead Confederate and Diamond Rugs, and the fact that he’s really honed in on his own sound feels like a long time coming. Morris is meant to be a leading man, despite being somewhat quiet and unassuming on stage. His music speaks for itself and right now it’s very clearly taking all the attention it deserves. In many ways, even though he’s been around for years, this is just the beginning for him. This album marks a strong entry into his now signature lo-fi, alt-rock, country sound, and it’s a thrilling prospect that there’s no telling what he’ll do next.
