Airbourne - Boneshaker
Key Facts
Country: 🇦🇺
Genre: Hard Rock
Release Date: 25th October 2019
Record Label(s): Spinefarm Records
Band Members
Joel O'Keeffe – Lead vocals, lead guitar
Justin Street – Bass guitar, backing vocals
Matt "Harri" Harrison – Rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Ryan O'Keeffe – Drums, percussion
Airbourne - Boneshaker
Review
Rating (out of 5🤘): 🤘🤘🤘🤘
Favourite Track(s): Boneshaker, Burnout The Nitro, Backseat Boogie, Blood In The Water, Switchblade Angel, Weapon Of War
Airbourne have come crashing back on to the scene rattling and shaking bones with balls out, balls to the wall classic hard rock that will make you want to grab your nearest boot and do a shoey! I affectionally call them mini AC/DC because of the strong influence on their music but with every album they release they distinguish themselves apart from their main inspiration. If you're looking for another ball breaking Rock 'n' Roll party, slam this record on your vinyl player (metaphorically of course, I will not be held responsible for broken turntables), grab a beer and throw the last fucks you give in the bin.
If there is one thing that I will never forget about this band is when they supported Black Stone Cherry in 2014. My favourite quote from that whole night was Joel shouting in his distinct Aussie accent "Where's ya fuckin' drink?" and to be honest, this album makes me ask that very same question. It's packed full of tub thumping classic rock riffs that get your head and body moving. I do feel that this album has a slower pace to it compared to 2016's Breakin' Outta Hell and 2013's Black Dog Barking, not subdued by any means but more organised and showcases a the less chaotic side of Airbourne. Even with that in mind, you still want to drive 100mph down a motorway with it blaring as loud as it can possible go. Musically, each song follows the typical Airbourne song structure with a few tweaks here and there, for many people that could get boring but not for me, it's still entertaining and enjoyable 6 albums in. I think the only problem I have with this album is it's too short, 30 minutes feels more like and EP to me (probably because I've been listening to too much 70s prog) but the album feels like it's finished before it's begun as it ramps up as the tracks go on. Granted that Rock 'N' Roll For Life is a short, snappy and furious album closer and the whole point of Airbounre is to be loud, raucous and fast, which is ultimately fun and enjoyable to listen to. Despite my only gripe, this is a fun and enjoyable album to listen to and executes itself perfectly. Its one of those albums you put on if you just want some awesome riffs to enjoy and not have to think too much about what you're listening too (concept albums, etc.). Lyrically, it's classically tongue-in-cheek, Joel has got this real knack for writing sharp, clever and catchy lyrics with multiple innuendos without going to Steel Panther levels of cringe (They haven't been good since Balls Out, and only in hindsight do I realise how cliche SP's lyrics are). Overall, it is a very short and snappy album, that is definitely good if you just want to kick back with a beer or speed down the motorway, either one is good!
Production wise, Airbourne have been very consistent with their sound. There's never really been a great variance in their guitar tones, from what I can hear anyway. Even so, each album is ball bustlingly good with its production. Gritty and raw in equal measure, the engineers they work with always seem to capture the raw and powerful live energy that the band have and package it into a studio record. The whole album, from start to finish sounds like it is being recorded in a stadium but with a tight control over the building's reverb. The drums are tight and precise but the kick has a big weight to it and there is a decent snap and slap in the snare that gives everything a solid foundation to rock on. The bass and it's tone really supports the guitars and fills out the sonic space that is available to it. Like I say with the guitar tones though, there has been no real change in them since 2008's Runnin' Wild in my opinion. They're still this sharp and crisp tone which can easily be blasted through 50 stacked Marshalls and still sound clean and clear. Overall there is nothing complex about the production of Boneshaker and that's what I like about it, straight to the point, no faff just what a classic rock style album needs to be.
Despite the 30 minute run time, this album is all killer and no filler, Airbourne continue to blaze a new trail for that classic rock sound. So grab a beer, and headbang until your head comes off and rolls down a hill!
If there is one thing that I will never forget about this band is when they supported Black Stone Cherry in 2014. My favourite quote from that whole night was Joel shouting in his distinct Aussie accent "Where's ya fuckin' drink?" and to be honest, this album makes me ask that very same question. It's packed full of tub thumping classic rock riffs that get your head and body moving. I do feel that this album has a slower pace to it compared to 2016's Breakin' Outta Hell and 2013's Black Dog Barking, not subdued by any means but more organised and showcases a the less chaotic side of Airbourne. Even with that in mind, you still want to drive 100mph down a motorway with it blaring as loud as it can possible go. Musically, each song follows the typical Airbourne song structure with a few tweaks here and there, for many people that could get boring but not for me, it's still entertaining and enjoyable 6 albums in. I think the only problem I have with this album is it's too short, 30 minutes feels more like and EP to me (probably because I've been listening to too much 70s prog) but the album feels like it's finished before it's begun as it ramps up as the tracks go on. Granted that Rock 'N' Roll For Life is a short, snappy and furious album closer and the whole point of Airbounre is to be loud, raucous and fast, which is ultimately fun and enjoyable to listen to. Despite my only gripe, this is a fun and enjoyable album to listen to and executes itself perfectly. Its one of those albums you put on if you just want some awesome riffs to enjoy and not have to think too much about what you're listening too (concept albums, etc.). Lyrically, it's classically tongue-in-cheek, Joel has got this real knack for writing sharp, clever and catchy lyrics with multiple innuendos without going to Steel Panther levels of cringe (They haven't been good since Balls Out, and only in hindsight do I realise how cliche SP's lyrics are). Overall, it is a very short and snappy album, that is definitely good if you just want to kick back with a beer or speed down the motorway, either one is good!
Production wise, Airbourne have been very consistent with their sound. There's never really been a great variance in their guitar tones, from what I can hear anyway. Even so, each album is ball bustlingly good with its production. Gritty and raw in equal measure, the engineers they work with always seem to capture the raw and powerful live energy that the band have and package it into a studio record. The whole album, from start to finish sounds like it is being recorded in a stadium but with a tight control over the building's reverb. The drums are tight and precise but the kick has a big weight to it and there is a decent snap and slap in the snare that gives everything a solid foundation to rock on. The bass and it's tone really supports the guitars and fills out the sonic space that is available to it. Like I say with the guitar tones though, there has been no real change in them since 2008's Runnin' Wild in my opinion. They're still this sharp and crisp tone which can easily be blasted through 50 stacked Marshalls and still sound clean and clear. Overall there is nothing complex about the production of Boneshaker and that's what I like about it, straight to the point, no faff just what a classic rock style album needs to be.
Despite the 30 minute run time, this album is all killer and no filler, Airbourne continue to blaze a new trail for that classic rock sound. So grab a beer, and headbang until your head comes off and rolls down a hill!
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