I’m not sure if there is an album that could capture what it feels like growing up in Hinton more than this album by Desert Boots. Though they are based in Calgary it’s easy to tell that Hinton is where they call home. You know those small town skate/punk kids that listen to all kinds of music? This is what happens when they make a band. Listening to their albums brings up memories of all the random artists you would listen to while you got off of your after-school job, went and showered, showed up at the bush party and woke up in someones basement only to repeat the process again until school on monday morning.

It’s almost impossible to classify the music of Desert Boots but one thing is for sure, it’s amazing. Try drawing influences from all over the musical world and smashing them together in a raucous and fun way and then you may have an idea. Where a song might sound like a punk smashed together with blues with a touch of Gogol Bordello thrown in for good measure (Blood like wine), another sounds like bluesy rock akin The Black Keys if they were trying to play like Guns and Roses (Baby Jesus), while yet another sounds as though it’s a Smith’s song  crossed with the Pixies (Redemption and 1950’s man). From start to finish Desert Boots is a roaring good time. I defy anyone to listen to “Foul Crooks” and not sing along. Plus how often do you get a line as good as “I’ve been searching for my lord and saviour Jesus Christ, but all found were old records of Judas Priest”?

The song that is probably the most accessible for people not used the stylings of Desert Boots is “Baby Jesus” however this album is incredible as a whole. Listen to it. You won’t regret it. Also check out their bandcamp page. http://desertboots.bandcamp.com/