Matt Freeman’s hallmark, cleanly-picked bass lines and gruff voice are the cornerstone of this raucous collection of early demo songs, plus a half dozen songs in homage to the building of the Golden GateBridge. References to ironworkers, labor unions, the Dust Bowl, and more resonate with today’s issues. Punk, punkabilly, folk, spaghetti western and ska influences round out this crisply produced album. Stand out tracks: “Shakedown,” “Gentleman of the Road,” “Protest Song,” “Half Way to Hell.”
–thiringer (Hellcat)