TRICKY LOBSTERS

I had no idea what to expect when I opened up a package and was greeted by an album from a band called Tricky Lobsters from Germany. I’m not poking fun at the guys at all, but I have to admit the name made for some chuckles before I finally got around to listening to it. I’m pleased to say that this is a pretty solid disc through and through.
Imagine if Dave Wyndorf fronted Brothers of Conquest and snuck in some elements of Motorhead and some lighter, catchy elements ala The Hellacopters “By the Grace of God”. This is stoner rock and roll with a road-burning edge as the band have a knack for composing short, punchy tracks that have engaging riffs, killer leads and solos and a strong rhythm section that is tight and formidable.
The vocals are upfront and melodic and sound somewhat similar to Dave Wyndorf in many instances with lots of back-up vocals that come into play usually during the songs’ choruses. The choruses are huge too and hook you in like a pop song but with the edge of ballsy music and great vocals. I’m not saying that this is poppy record, but the band knows how to write songs with huge hooks that I cannot deny!
The band are at their best when they are ripping through no frills rockers like the one-two knockout punch of openers “How do you like it” and “Keep an Eye on the Road” which drip with hard-edged, grooving stoner rock that has catchy (but not generic) riffs, head-bobbing rhythms and killer vocal hooks. There is something about the ways these guys will lock onto a groove for their choruses that directly remind me of Brother of Conquest, which is pretty damn cool. I loved BOC’s mix of stoner rock with metal but with lots of catchy, almost Misfits like sing along parts and Tricky Lobsters are certainly adept at employing this style of song-writing.
They manage to strike gold many times throughout this disc by employing the same formula of strong riffs and catchy hooks throughout the whole album. “I Do Believe”, “Streets” and the title track are all killer songs that stay stuck in my head for hours on end. I also like how they never overstay their welcome either. They don’t drag things out and try and write epic length songs but instead make their point in short 2-4 minute stabs (there is only one 4 minute track) and leave out all the filler. This is a pretty good record through and through. I’m pleasantly surprised with this one.
A rock solid, stoner rock record with memorable songs is what you are getting here and as long as you aren’t expecting a complete renovation of the sound, then these guys are well-worth checking out.written 2007 by Jason Snyder / Hellride Music
Wer ehrlichen straighten Action Rock erleben will, muss sich auf die TRICKY LOBSTERS einlassen. Der Vierer aus Rostock spielt Rock'n'Roll so, wie wir ihn alle lieben, authentisch, leidenschaftlich, hymnenhaft und mitreissend. Das ist Musik von echten Kerlen. Gegruendet wurden TRICKY LOBSTERS 1996. Fand man sich in den Anfangstagen noch in Noise- und Psychedelic-Gefilden, besann man sich ab 2000 mit ihrem neuem Schlagzeuger auf den guten alten Rock'n'Roll mit Arschtrittfaktor. Einfache und zuegige Rocksongs mit eingaengigen Melodien. 2001 kam Gitarrist Aggi von den Crushing Caspars, der das noch heute gueltige Line-Up komplettierte. Die musikalischen Wurzeln reichen um den ganzen Globus. So beanspruchen die vier Rostocker einen Platz zwischen Motorhead, AC/DC, Kiss, Ramones und Thin Lizzy. Wenn Vorbilder zu nennen sind, dann muessen es schon die Grossen sein. Nach der kontinuierlichen Live-Arbeit der letzten Jahre verschanzte sich die Band 2005 in ihr eigenes "Blue Hospital Studio" und produzierte in Eigenregie die zweite CD. Elf Gemeinheiten aus Gitarre, Bass und Schlagzeug. Der Sound erinnert an das fette Motorengeraeusch eines 65er Chevys, in dem die Zuendkerzen ein Feuerwerk an Riffs abbrennen. Und der Beat geht unter Haut, wie die Nadel beim taetowieren deines Flammenmotives. Reichlich Melodien, Hooks und Donner. Und obenauf die rauchzarte Stimme von Grauper. Wer die Jungs live gesehen hat, dem wird schnell klar, die Heimat der LOBSTERS ist die Buehne. Eine Band wie diese ist auf CD zwar gut, aber auf den Buehnen kleiner, verschwitzter Clubs erst richtig GROSS. Hier lebt die pure Energie, die gnadenlos den Adrenalinspiegel steigen laesst. Man zeigt Vergnuegen an der Pose, waehrend der begeisterte Fan Luftgitarre spielend zu Boden geht.
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