Shitting Bricks is the sophomore album by former W.A.S.P
guitarist Chris Holmes and was released on May 2nd 2015. My history
with Chris goes back to when I first started my obsession with Hard Rock and
Heavy Metal. When I first heard the first Wasp album, I flipped mainly because
how killer the guitars sounded. Chris and Randy Piper were seriously a force to
be reckoned with but by their third album it was all Chris and nothing but that
Jackson ripping it up. He has always been one of my favorite guitarists and
biggest inspirations to pick up the instrument as well. About a year ago I
found out that he had recorded a solo album entitled “Nothing To Lose” It
caught me by surprise at first but the more I listened the more I got that it
was supposed to be a fun dingy sounding rock record and tracks like “Way To Be”
and “Loser” were catchy rocking tracks as the instrumentals were actually
pretty killer as well. But I wanted something more, a more balls out record
with the production that puts it just over the top. Well I have a copy (which I
had signed) with me now so let’s delve into this album head first!
Track Rundown
1.Intro- The album begins with this simple building piano
piece with Chris fiddling with his
guitar in the back. Soon enough the whole band comes in with a slow starting
jam and I have to say the production has a bigger feel to it already. This
intro is at a pretty good time at just two minutes of anticipation and I really
think leads well into the next track.
2.Shitting Bricks-HOLY HELL THIS SONG IS KILLER! Seriously
right away the drums are kicking and Chris really spits out lyrics with a
vengeance. I have to say his singing has improved a lot since the last record.
This song is classic Heavy Metal all the way to the chorus and the frantic solo
with the police sirens in the back it is just so 80’s and I love it. The
guitars already sound super heavy and since Chris has been using the same beat up
guitars it makes sense. I love how it really explodes at the end as well.
Killer opening really.
3.Nevermind- This a full instrumental and features no
electric guitar. It’s actually a pretty good piece and also feels a bit psychedelic
as well. The running piano at times is really cool as well and I think it shows
Chris doesn’t only write straight up rock songs, he can write some atmospheric stuff.
The only gripe I have with this is I wish it was placed a bit further into the
record.
4.Get With It- This one also comes out swinging right away
with some heavy riffing. I really like the verses as well I feel Chris’s grungy
voice goes with the super dirty guitar chugging. The pre chorus has some catchy
and at times funny lyrics as well. This is one of my favorites on the album as
well. I really like the heavy melodic part in the middle of the solo (which
kicks ass as well) that leads back into the killer chorus. Another killer song.
5.Born Work Die- This song has a bluesier feel to it with
calm acoustic guitars in the beginning with Chris’s raspy vocals talking about
the real shit you got to deal with and I dig it. The verses with the whole band
chiming in are pretty catchy as well as the chorus. The solo is really harmonic
and works as well but I really like the dirty acoustic solo toward the end.
Another one of my favorite tunes on this album!
6.Let It Roar- The first single off the album. It opens with
a really heavy guitar riff and the song has an overall real just heavy groove to
it. I like that Chris’ lyrics are so profoundly simple I mean it’s basically
just about rocking out and I love how 80’s they are as well. The solo just rips
as well and is one of the best on the album. Another home run for me.
7.TMF- If you don’t know, this stands for two faced
motherfucker. This song has blended Electric and acoustic guitars into it and it’s
a pretty good laid out rock track. I also have to mention there is soloing literally
all over this song as well and its pretty killer to see the Mean Man just
ripping it out and taking no prisoners. Another great great song!!!
8.Long Gone- Another really soft song and it is also really atmospheric
right from the start, but around the middle mark, it picks up into an
instrumental jam. I like this one a bit more than “Nevermind” because it has
more twists in it.
9.In Your Mouth- This song has some really heavy riffs in it
but the lyrics are just pure spinal tap I swear. It is just pure Steel
Panther-ish that I listen and just kind of laugh at it. I tend to skip this
track because it is just so hilarious that it is kind of ridiculous. Im sure he
meant for this song to be non-serious funny as hell cock rock and I wouldn’t
expect anything else from a guitarist who lived nothing but excess.
10.502- I like this track a lot and it really is just a
straightforward rocker and the chorus is pretty catchy as it is simple as well.
Chris really knows just how to make the most badass guitar solos even this late
in the game. Killer track.
11.Don’t Care-This song has that dirty country feel all over
it and Chris;’ voice I think fits it very well. Its got some nice harmonies
within it as well. I love the riff as well it kind of has that Sabbath tinge to
it. I forgot to mention how good the drummer is all over this record with some
excellent very tight fills in all of places. Pretty good song near the end of
the record.
12.Vegas Nightmare- The dirty acoustic riff at the beginning
I really dig, and boom it just explodes into a killer headbanging tune. I think
overall this song is pretty good for a closing track it just straight up jams
in the dirtiest way. The lyrics are very acdc-ish and I like the trailer trash
and white trash repeating lines its hilarious and funny but still rocks! Chris
really doesn’t let loose on his soloing here at all as it is almost heard
literally through the whole almost eight minute song. It fades out the same way
with the band ust jamming their asses off.
Overall, I give this album 1n 8.2 out of 10. Despite some
tracks that I tend to overlook, this album has some really kickass tunes that I
love. It really is an improvement over his first album and its great to see he
got back up, got sober and is just jamming Heavy Metal again. He actually has
his own band appropriately named “Mean Man” and they are gigging now across
seas in France. Im sure hoping eventually he brings it to the states because I would
love to see the show. Rock on Chris Holmes you are still a Wild Child! \m/
Signed album!
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