Barefoot & Pregnant

Hammerlock's members have never been champions of political correctness — in fact, it's safe to say that the trio's risk-taking, totally infectious blend of alternative metal, punk, and country-fried Southern rock has been a rebellion against all things PC. And those who singer/guitarist Travis Kenney (lead vocals, guitar) and his wife Liza Kenney (bass, vocals) have offended in the past won't be converted by Barefoot and Pregnant, which is Hammerlock's first album for the Philadelphia-based Steel Cage label and third album overall. The hilarious front cover shows a picture of an obviously pregnant Liza baring her belly and pointing a rifle in the air while she stands near the kitchen sink — in other words, the Kenneys are going out of their way to thumb their noses at political correctness. But there is much more to Hammerlock than shock value. The hilarious front cover might grab one's attention, but the excellence of the material is what keeps it. Those who appreciated Hammerlock's two previous albums on Man's Ruin will find that the Kenneys (who are joined by drummer Jamey Howell) haven't lost any of their freshness; Hammerlock is still one of the most fresh-sounding bands in the alternative metal field. While other punk-minded alt-metal outfits are turning to hip-hop and industrial for inspiration, the Kenneys are inspired by Southern rock and country — and Travis Kenney proudly, defiantly flaunts his hell-raisin' shotgun-totin' good ol' boy image on raucous gems like "Colorado Mountain Goat" and "I Don't Owe You S**t." This CD also contains inspired covers of three country classics: Ernest Tubb's "Jealous Loving Heart," Charlie Daniels' "Long Haired Country Boy," and Waylon Jennings' "Good Hearted Woman," all of which lend themselves nicely to Hammerlock's alt-metal/punk/Southern rock outlook. If Anthems for Outlaws is Hammerlock's most essential album, Barefoot and Pregnant runs an impressively close second.