The self-titled third CD by Iowa’s Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts builds on the band’s early promise, moving closer to Chicago sounds while retaining the rawness of their Hill Country inspiration. Woods turns in the hypnotic “I Know You Don’t Love Me,” whose one chord suggests early Howlin’ Wolf and, even more strongly, Hound Dog Taylor, and slamming, deft Elmore James pastiches in “B.O.G. Boogie” and “You Got To Know.” His quirky “I Can’t Live Without You” takes Frankie Lee Sims as its model, while the careening R&B instrumental “On the Loose” is super hip. Bassist Scott Cochran pens sharp lyrics on his slow-grind funk number “Work” and the anthem-to-be “Blues Attack,” a floor tom-heavy stomp. A medley combining songs by Junior Kimbrough and R.L. Burnside closes this very appealing album.
Tom Hyslop
Blues Revue #125
Sept/Oct 2010
