It begins with just a few brief bars of muted drums before the guitars begin to chug. The piano begins to take a pounding, and within thirty seconds, Jim Jones’ raucous vocals have rounded out the band’s sound and told you pretty much everything you need to know about the Jim Jones Revue. Their second album is a 32-minute blast of old rock and roll energy, the likes of which we have rarely seen since Rocket From The Crypt decided to call it a day.

This is music firmly rooted in the past. Lead single “High Horse,” whilst being an album highlight, is built around the oldest blues chord progression in the book. The lyrics are of the most basic soundbite kind, like the “shoot first, ask questions later” refrain of the appropriately named “Shoot First.” If it’s a new sound or originality you are looking for, then it might be better to look elsewhere. It also should be noted that even in its brief running time, the sound can become just a little bit too familiar.

Having said that, what the band may lack in originality, it certainly makes up for in energy. This feels less like an album and more like a trailer for a live show. At their best, the Jim Jones Revue sounds like the wildest house party you have ever been to, and the music sounds like it’s drenched in blood, sweat, and whiskey. The production is suitably rough around the edges regardless of the band’s obvious tightness, with “Foghorn” and “Killing Spree” being particularly good examples of this. Such is the exhilaration on show that it becomes something of a disappointment when they do occasionally take the foot off the pedal.

It seems apt that Jim Jones himself is front and center in the band name. He is the group’s main attraction, and while he might not look like a soulful, bluesy heartbeat of pure rock and roll, he sure as hell sounds like one. He is the embodiment of the band’s attitude, which appears to be that you don’t have to do anything new, as long as you play it louder and harder than the last guy.

To their credit, the Jim Jones Revue achieves this aim with aplomb. That they at least bear comparison with the likes of MC5 and the aforementioned Rocket From The Crypt is a testament to the viscera and focus of their music. There is an evident self-belief that courses through these 11 brisk songs, even if it’s occasionally let down by the songwriting. And if Burning Your House Down really is more of an advertisement for their live show, then it would probably make sense to get a ticket when they’re next in town. Make sure to knock back some bourbon before they come on stage though. I’m sure they would appreciate it.

To find out more about The Jim Jone Revue, visit their website.