Riverboat Gamblers - 'Underneath the Owl'

This is a record I've had a hard time writing a review for, simply because every time I've thrown it on, I lose track of what I'm doing and simply start listening to it. This time around, Underneath the Owl finds the Gamblers having picked up where they left off on 2006's To The Confusion of Our Enemies and crafting an album that is more mature, but not at all lacking in the energy that they brought to the table last time.

Still present is the intensity that Riverboat Gamblers have made trademark on their albums and in their legendary live shows; the album's opener, "DissDissDissKissKissKissKiss" (which feature's an appearance from Todd Congelliere of Toys That Kill), is a classic Gamblers tune that punches you right in the chops with the opening riff.

Over and over again, the album dishes up Texas rock tornadoes like that, especially on Owl's front end. "DissDissDissKissKissKissKiss" is followed up with the choppy, yet sincere "A Choppy, Yet Sincere Apology" and the fast-paced "Catastrophe," giving fans of Confusion a chance to settle in to the sound they know and love from these Texans.

And while those classic Gamblers rockers will again resurface on the record (most notably on "Keep Me From Drinkin"), the band has decided to mix it up a bit. For every furious rocker, there is a song that's a bit more complex, and (dare I say?) even more fun.

"Pilgrims in an Unholy Land" opens with groove that sounds like it would have been comfortable on an old Police Record, before tearing away into a fist-pumping quasi-anthem and "Sleepless" is a broad, building track that is complex and smooth. From there, the awesomely-titled "Robots May Break Your Heart" delivers an upbeat poppy tune that even has a xylophone, and "The Tearjerker" is a '50s-styled slow dance that makes one think of sweaty palms and a high school gym with streamers hanging from the basketball hoop.

The album wraps up with "Victory Lap," which is probably one of the best road anthems I've heard in a long time. Focused on long drives in the van, combined with war stories and music, you really feel like you might know what it's like to ride with these guys on tour, and it seems pretty fun.

Owl offers a combination of sounds that presents us with a Gamblers we haven't really seen before, but one that I'm pleased to see. While they may seem to be maturing in their sound, their energy is readily apparent and available, and I'm looking forward to seeing how they do this new music live, especially with an upcoming tour opening for Rise Against.

Release Date: March 10, 2009

Track Listing

1. Dissdissdisskisskisskiss (featuring Todd Congelliere)
2. A Choppy Yet Sincere Apology
3. Catastrophe
4. Alexandria
5. Pilgrims In An Unholy Land
6. Sleepless
7. Robots May Break Your Heart
8. The Tearjerker
9. Keep Me From Drinking
10. Steer Clear
11. Victory Lap