Album Review: Monster Truck ‘Sittin’ Heavy’

It’s been almost a week since Canadian 4-piece rockers Monster Truck released their searing, riff-laden, balls out sophomore album ‘Sittin’ Heavy’. Recorded in Toronto and produced by the award-winning Eric Ratz (Billy Talent and Cancer Bats), ‘Sittin’ Heavy is 11 tracks of high-octane, foot to the floor, raucous rock that doesn’t mess around.

“It has a heavy edge but has a definitive southern groove and fierce drumming which tapers off to perfection, it’s lyrically superb and musically diverse.”

The album blasts open with high energy track Why Are You Not Rocking which sets the ball rolling with an equal parts sludge and grunge riff. Drummer Steve Kiely knocks it out of the park with his furious rhythm section, setting the tempo for a two-minute trailblazer. The song is characterised by the cheesy hook of “rock and roll might save your life tonight”, but contains enough grit to hold the listeners attention.

Listeners are rewarded with the anthem Don’t Tell Me How To Live. The track is a slower but heavier tune that roars along with a great stoner-rock style growl. Vocalist Jon Harvey’s voice suggests he means it too. It has a heavy edge but has a definitive southern groove and fierce drumming which tapers off to perfection, it’s lyrically superb and musically diverse.

Blues rock runs the common risk of descending into a state of repetitiveness throughout it’s collection of sounds and melodies. While Monster Truck pull out all the old tricks, they also offer some alternative avenues to enhance their sound. While initially surprising listeners, the party really begins with For The People. A celebration song with a hint of country and pitch perfect harmonies combing over the disco drum groove and remaining catchy as hell.

“The song has a simple message, “enjoy the times we have, before they are gone away”, which seems to encapsulate the positive mood of the record though out.”

The album then turns yet another corner with a mellowed out Led Zeppelin motivated tune Black Forest. The track offers an alternative style with its moody, slow burning introduction kicking into a folky ballad that further showcases the vocal chops of Harvey as he hits the higher notes. The tempo is dropped down a notch with this soulful, emotive track featuring some epic guitar riffs. Things do start to feel a bit tired though, on the unmemorable Another Man’s Shoes, as it trudges along without really finding it’s pace.

Next is She’s A Witch and it’s profoundly reminiscent of 90s classic rock and overflows with wide-open southern grooves with an effective hook. It really brings out the bluesy/grungy sounds nostalgic to Soundgarden’s early work. The album then closes with the highlight, the soft ballad Enjoy Your Time. The song has a simple message, “enjoy the times we have, before they are gone away”, which seems to encapsulate the positive mood of the record though out.

Monster Truck have really outdone themselves. ‘Sittin’ Heavy’ is a great album that’s full of energy and is a clear assertion of what they want to do, and that’s simply to rock! Taking bits of classic 70s heavy, blues-oriented rock and 90s stoner rock with some southern tinged tones, Monster Truck really packs a punch!