Rootwork – ‘Gallows Humour’ [Review]
Man alive.
Wow.
Holy [insert expletive].
Imagine Reuben jamming with Light Grenades-era Incubus, and you have Code Talker – the lead track from Gallows Humour, the latest from a band namechecked by Jamie Lenman about a year ago during an interview with TMMP. Rootwork are absolutely fucking incredible – but what’s even more incredible is the fact that at the time of writing, they may well be one of the best bands you’ve never heard of…until now.
Rootwork emphasise their ultra-heavy Reuben influence throughout this EP – but that’s no bad thing, considering that Reuben remain one of the UK underground’s most treasured memories, and there’s enough uniquely-Rootwork secret sauce in there to keep things from veering into pastiche territory. Burning Shame is a fast-paced mass of beautifully brutal riffs; Dead Man’s Jacket is a straight up anthem coated in searing lead lines washed dirty by heavily distorted tidal waves; and Nothing Left For You is a gorgeously crafted and detailed slow-burner complete with stellar vocal harmonies and an immense 5/4 riff. Right now, I am absolutely stunned.
Gallows Humour is jawdroppingly exceptional – and Rootwork deserve to be much, much, much bigger than they currently are.
That is the truth.
TMMP RATING: 97% (Essential Listening!)
Was this review on the money or off the mark? Leave a comment, follow TMMP via Twitter and my brand new Facebook page, and let me know!
Buy Gallows Humour via iTunes here.