There you go. I shouldn't be making this review any longer than that. Those three words perfectly describe this traditional hard rocker. Now, as you know, I'm going to write a little more anyway because I would be quite a lousy reviewer if my writings constists of only three words. Besides, that would make the publication of such a review a longer job than actually listening to the album and writing about it and that's a shame because this album obviously deserves listeners.
The Heavy Eyes have been around for quite a while. 'He Dreams Of Lions' is already the third album by this trio from Memphis, TN (US). They fit in perfectly with the current wave of artists who reach back to the glorydays of rock 'n' roll, inspired by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Queens Of The Stone Age and even Cream. So if you're into some good old fashioned rock music and worship the mighty power of the riff, this is something you should not ignore.
The album opens with a tremendous highlight, not only for this album but for the entire rock industry. 'Shadow Shaker' simply is a masterpiece of heavy rock and would be a smash hit if this world was a better place. From there on we're on a ride, a bit of an archeological trip through the history of rock music, including flashes from blues, grunge, hard rock, psychedelic rock, punk rock and stoner rock. Sometimes I think of Alice In Chains, sometimes The Ramones come to mind and on other occasions Iggy and The Stooges come knocking.
To throw all of those influences in one constistant sounding album isn't easy but The Heavy Eyes certainly pulled it off. With other highlights in songs like 'Fifty', 'Smoke Signals' and 'The Fool' the trio rolls on with a lot of energy and quite a decent sense of songwriting. These songs aren't meant to awe you with technical abilities and flashing solos but merely to bring you in a blissful state of trance, floating along with thick riffs. Besides, quite naturally all these different influences cause a well-varied album that never gets one-sided.
We've had many strong traditional rock albums in the past year and some of them often appear in the playlists in this household. Undoubtedly 'He Dreams Of Lions' will be one of them and should be in every household where Kadavar, Uncle Acid and Blues Pills are present. So yes, check it out, close your eyes and let your mind wander to the sixties. See them dance, those beautiful hippie-girls and listen to who is making them dance, The Heavy Eyes.
Serge