The Hangmen – East of Western

I was ready to knock Los Angeles hard rock four piece Hangmen for misleading me with their country outlaw cover art.  You see, I love all of that crazy spaghetti western stuff like Ghoultown or The Coffinshakers, and the gun totting masked figure on the front really perked my interest.  So naturally, when opener “Homesick Blues” evidenced little western swagger and straightforward hard rock, my suspicion was to cry foul.  As it turned out though, with Hangmen patience is virtue, and East Of Western has turned out as more of a grower than love at first sight.

As becomes apparent early on, Hangmen’s best work takes a nod from the rock n’ roll outlaws in Social Distortion.  Vocalist Bryan Small has a similar frankness and blunt tonality that projects a steady rustic confidence.  The buzzing guitars on mid-tempo landmarks “I’m Your Man” and “Graverobbers” pummel the country path with the dusty swagger I mistakenly accused as absent.  Generally, the slower the tempo the more pronounced the saddle-bound twang rides.  “Had A Girl” slows to a trot, enveloping a clear attitude, confirming that Hangmen face few challenges riding with the country crew.  There’s a little something for everyone, from the barnyard hootenanny of “Betrayed” to the down and dirty addiction of “Big Red Rooster,” East Of Western risks no lack of personality.

In the end, East Of Western finds its footing after a deceiving start.  Hangmen are straight shooters when it comes to outlaw country, and while they don’t commit to the dead west quite like the boys inGhoultown, that’s more of my own preference coming into play than a deficiency on their end.  Those with an affinity for Social Distortion should find something here for sure, although they’re certainly not yet in danger of competing with legends of that caliber.  Outlaw rock with a solid dose of personality.