Customer Reviews

Molly Hatchet

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's now two thousand eight in the year of our Lord, and this means just one thing for most; it's the 30th anniversary of Molly Hatchet's self-titled debut album!! OK, that was a considerable stretch, but all hyperbole aside, this is in my opinion Molly Hatchet's best album by far. And it's probably the only Molly Hatchet album a non Southern Rock fanatic will ever need, or likely want. I will concede that if you are a hardcore Southern Rock fan there are certainly other MH albums that you will want to own, and you likely already do. So, with that being said, if you are a hardcore fan there is no reason for you to "go postal" about this non-hardcore fan's review. So please, just grab your jug of "shine" and settle down.

Now, I own several Molly Hatchet albums, but this album is really the only one that I listen to on a somewhat regular basis. And if you happen to be like me, a casual fan, this self-titled debut is really the only album in their catalogue that I would consider essential. Sure, there are some that assert 'Flirtin' With Disaster' or 'Beatin' The Odds' is better, and tastes will naturally vary, but I honestly don't see how anyone could rationally come to that conclusion. Yes, 'Flirtin'' and 'Beatin'' are good, but in my opinion this is clearly MH's best, and it's their only album that is absolutely solid from top to bottom. It features Hlubek's best songwriting, lyrically and musically, and Danny Joe Brown's best vocals. It also contains a remake of 'Dreams I'll Never See', which is arguably their best song from any album, and certainly my favorite. Furthermore, although Farrar's vocals on 'Beatin'' are good, they're not even close to being as good as DJB's from this album.

In conclusion, as you likely already know, Molly Hatchet is a top-tier Southern Rock band, 'Molly Hatchet' is their best album, and if there is a better band named after a deranged prostitute utterly unconcerned with repeat business I am certainly unaware of it.

There is no way you can play this CD often or loud enough. When I first heard this album (yeah back then it required a needle) I was blown away. And its impact some 25 years later has not lessoned. This album rips. 'Bounty Hunter' and 'The Price You Pay' have been favorite songs of mine since the day they first hit the wax. Southern rock fan or just music lover this album hits the mark.

I could wax nostalgic about the powerful rhythms or the sublime lyrics against an angst filled guitar but who is kidding who? This is AC/DC southern style and for those of you who have never heard it, you need to. One listen and you will know what you've missed listening to that MTV [...].

One of my favorite southern rock albums of all time! People tried to say they were copying Skynyrd because of their three guitar attack but Blackfoot(another must have)had more of a Skynyrd sound in my opinion. That triple guitar work just wraps around you in Dreams I'll Never See. The whole album grabs you and drags you along for a great ride. Danny Joe Brown's vocals are a perfect fit, too bad he had to leave (due to health issues if I recall) after their second album (Flirtin' With Disaster). If you like Southern Rock, this album and Flirtin' definitely should be on your shelf. Another band you should check out is The Four Horsemen. They aren't Southern Fried, actually they're from above the border but the music has a definite southern edge and a bluesy feel to it. Nobody Said it was Easy and Gettin' Pretty Good at Barely Gettin' By are definitely worth a listen.

I bought "Beatin' the odds" in 1981, but wished I hadn't waited till the end of the 80's to purchase this smokin debut album by the great MOLLY HATCHET. I guess I put it off for so long because I thought it wouldn't rock like some of the hatchet albums I had heard before. Sometimes I used to get leary about purchasing debut albums, in some circumstances. That was a big mistake! This album, pure and simple flat out rocks! "Bounty hunter", with quite a few from "Beatin' the odds", is tied for #1, as my favorite MOLLY HATCHET song. "Dreams I'll never see" is better than the original ALLMAN BROTHERS version by a long shot. That song always sends shivers down my spine, it's played so dad gum good. "I'll be running" is a straight up rocking tune. You can't go wrong with the tunes "The price you pay" and "Gator country" either. "The creeper" and "Big apple" are no slouches either. This album is better than "Flirtin with disaster", but not quite in the same league as the album "Beatin' the odds". I've known a few folks who really think that this one's the best, and really I don't blame them for thinking so. If you really appreciate down home southern fried rock, you need to check out this masterpiece. Just a kick ass MOLLY HATCHET debut that won't disappoint.

Hatchet watered down Skynyrd.
That sentiment has always puzzled me. I mean unless you have ears of granite, the sound simmilarities between Skynyrd and Hatchet are as rare as finding a drunk virgin at a frat party. I mean folks lets be realistic. What is it, the three guitar thing. mmmm lets see, three guitars, I wonder if....well there's April Wine, they came along after Skynyrd, yet no bashing there....oh thats right their Canadian....The Outlaws, three guitars also, but wait their from Tampa. So that leads me to only one possible conclusion, its the fact that they are from Jacksonville Fla. That must be it. But if thats the case, why not badmouth Blackfoot, their from Jacksonville, as is .38 Special. And at times, if you've ever seen .38 live, they would have a three guitar lineup, if Don Barnes was singing a particular song.

So whats the problem. If its the Jacksonville thing you must believe that cities are only allowed one great bad each. Well that cant be it; I mean Nirvana and Pearl Jam both came from Seattle, and there is no comparisons made there. BTW Nirvana wasnt that great. More to the point, they sucked.

Bottom line, give it a rest. Skynyrd is Skynyrd, Hatchet is Hatchet, and never the twain shall meet. Besides, if Hatchet was so bad, or an evil clone of Skynyrd, why was RVZ (Ronnie Van Zant for those of you not quick enough to grasp the above mentioned abbreviation) not only the producer of Hatchets first demo, but working to get them signed before his death?

You folks always seem to ignore that little tidbit.
BTW, I grew up listening to both bands, hell I went through a period of about 5 years of listening to nothing but bands from the south, including also ZZ Top, Marshall Tucker and Grinderswitch...dont ask me to pick my favorite....thats like asking to choose between my children

With the bone crunching opening bars of "Bounty Hunter" & a hearty "HELL YEAH" There's no doubt that these boys kick out a sound to be reckoned with. Melodic & hard hitting "Gator Country" leaves you wanting to hear it again. TURN IT UP!

All nine songs are finger-lickin' good-time party rock!
"The Creeper" accurately describes that same year's
(1978) movie, "Halloween" as what happened to Jamie
(Laurie Strode) Lee Curtis and her friends on "a cold
dark night when The Creeper comes along". Just like the
movie's (and its first sequel[1981 but on the same
timeline]) tagline "...The Night HE Came Home", so does
this album's Creeper come along with HIS knife/cut your
your throat and stick you in the back/drive off in your Cadillac".

Music imitating movies ? I review, you decide.

The guy who did all of the shouting in the other reviews does NOT know what he is talking about. This is not only a great southern rock album, it is a great rock album, period. This album, along with their follow up effort "Flirtin' with Disaster", captured the very essence of southern rock. You can really hear the influence of Skynyrd in this Band's early music, but make no mistake, Molly Hatchet brought a whole new style and attitude to the Late 70's rock scene. There is no mistaking the distinct sound of early Hatchet. If you like catchy tunes with great vocals and excellent guitar work, then give this band's early stuff a try.

I don't know what the deal is with the guy who is bashing Molly Hatchett like that .. maybe his old girlfriend slept with one of the band members a long time ago ... who knows.

But anyway, this is a true classic. If for some reason you haven't heard this album, then definitely get it.

This cd is replacing a damaged one and this cd is full of great songs by a dreat band,They rock!!!