I felt a bit compelled to post my thoughts on this latest release by Uncle Ted, although for sake of "ASAP", my usual tedious attention to details and proper grammar may be absent. Cred....bought the first Ted Nugent album on vinyl back in '75. I have purchased every album since and have seen him live at least a half dozen times over the years. Ok?
With Ted, it is always about the sound. They guitar sound. The guitar sound you hear which makes you immediately reply....that's Ted! This album is Ted's signature sound through and through. The band is kick @ss and the overall production is top rate. Very similar in overall sound and production to Ted's last great guitar masterpiece, "Scream Dream". All the instruments are clear and bright with Ted's guitar right up front in the mix...where it should be. "Shutup & Jam!" has a real tube, rather than digitalized/transistor feel. Nugent has never been about introspective, deep and emotional lyrics...so you won't get that here. Ted has exchanged poontang, making pussies purr and salami legs for BBQ's, Firearms and Jammin'. Like I said, the lyrics (at least for me) have always been secondary to Ted's arsenal of guitar licks and riffs. The album rocks, rolls, funks, rhythms and blues's (sic?). My only beef is only one vocal appearance by Derek St. Holmes. Even though Ted's vocals are surprisingly good, I would have liked to hear St. Holmes on a few more tracks. Sammy Hagar's appearance on "She's Gone" is an added bonus, so we'll call it even.
So if ya like old time Ted, this one is a for sure. Crank it up and if the neighbors smile, invite them over for a cold one. Otherwise, &%$# em!
****The title track puzzled me at first. I knew the melody and chorus came from a old 60's tune, but it took a few listens before a bulb went on. The band who recorded the song came to me first, then the title of the track itself. If you know it, who originally wrote the song?****
Rating? 8.5/10
