The Might Could represents a fresh start for guitarist
Erik Larson; a man already renowned in the stoner rock community for his longtime service with
Alabama Thunderpussy, while simultaneously participating in a consistently outstanding collection of side projects (most notably
the Mighty Nimbus and
Hail Hornet) and later helming a pair of critically acclaimed solo albums. Once again playing the frontman here,
Larson's crushed larynx takes charge of initiating his new bandmates -- lead guitarist TJ Childers, bassist Rob Gouldman, and drummer Ryan Wolfe -- in the subtle art of concocting absolutely pulverizing, borderline sludgy, metallic Southern stoner rock. And if the balls-out rockers like "Wretched Wraith," "Mad Dog Blues," and "Coming Clean" (this one built around an old, modified
Mötorhead riff) pick up right where
ATP left off, and then some, it's the significantly heavier, doom-paced offerings like "The Widower," the nine-minute "The Fall," and the
Thin Lizzy-inspired "The Night They Shoot Ol' Dixie Down" that categorically bury the listener under a positively gruesome amount of power (inspired album-opener "Stone Colossus" also features the best of both worlds). Amid all this brazen ferocity, the bluesy slide guitars introducing "Let ‘Em Up Easy" (which duly develops into yet another barroom scorcher) feel like a revelation, and although it was entirely predictable that
Skynyrd's influence would make an appearance at some point, it only does so in overt fashion via the melodically inclined "When the Spirits Take Control." Before it's all said and done, the Might Could even show a sense of humor on the sly "I Don't Even Like Pantera Anymore" (where Childers cuts loose on an especially blinding guitar solo), bolstering their already formidable range and announcing to all and sundry that
Erik Larson is back and piloting yet another stoner rock super-power into the wild blue yonder. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia