Album Review: Heart Attack Man’s New Album “Freak Of Nature” Really Does Have Teeth
–by Robert Wilkins
Heart Attack Man is back with a new album that drops this week. The band consists of Eric Egan on vocals and guitar, Ty Sickels on guitar and drummer Adam Paduch rounding out the sound. Their brand of punk rock not only has great hooks but still has an edge to it that is refreshing in today’s world of music. Hailing from the rough and tumble town of Cleveland, OH. the band have been hard at work and ready to take their rock n roll circus back on the road.
Heart Attack Man has managed to remain busy throughout their career. They released their first demo titled Acid Rain in 2013 on Mayfly Records. Since then, the band has released two full length studio albums, two EP’s and one split with the band McCafferty. May 26th finds the band releasing another new full-length album titled Freak of Nature.
The second song from the album is actually the title track and really grabbed my attention. The production on this is great and the band really sounds amazing. The song is very catchy but rocks a bit harder than the typical punk pop song. It is a great reminder to other bands that you can write songs with hooks without sounding wimpy.
“Take Me Out Like A Kennedy” starts with what sounds to be actual news recordings detailing the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The lyrics of the song use the death as a metaphor for feeling like one has lost themselves and the joy that your enemies would feel towards your demise. Ironically however, the song reminds me of an uplifting hype song of sorts. I can imagine someone going through a hard time in life, singing this song knowing that they are down but not out. “Enjoy my downfall while you can because I will be back” being the unspoken intent.
The song “C4” is exactly that! The band truly brings the heat here. This song along with “9 On Your Bedside” are a wonderful display of the sonic bombast that leaves you pumped after hearing them close out a concert. You can never ask for more than when a band can play a well-crafted pop song that will melt your face off.
I would be hard pressed to believe that these guys are anything less than stellar in a live setting. While it may be true that they are from Ohio, I have a feeling that even in a place like Detroit they would be welcomed with open arms. Bands that can “Kick Out the Jams” seem to have that effect in my hometown. Be sure to take a listen to these guys and show some support by buying some merch. and checking out a show when they are near your town.
Their tour kicks off May 25.
Freak of Nature Tracklisting:
- Practiced In the Mirror
- Freak Of Nature
- Like A Kennedy
- Late To The Orgy
- Stick Up
- God Called Off Today
- C4
- 9 On Your Bedside
- Clown School
- See You On The Other Side
Heart Attack Man Tour Dates:
5/25 – Detroit, MI @ The Shelter
5/26 – Toronto, ON @ The Velvet Underground
5/27 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird Music Hall
5/28 – Buffalo, NY @ Rec Room
5/30 – Somerville, MA @ Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre
5/31 – New York, NY @ The Racket
6/1 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Foundry
6/2 – Asbury Park, NJ @ House of Independents
6/3 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
6/4 – Richmond, VA @ Canal Club
6/6 – Orlando, FL @ The Abbey
6/7 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Hell)
6/9 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East
6/11 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
6/12 – Austin, TX @ Empire Control Room & Garage
6/13 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
6/15 – Phoenix, AZ @ Nile Theater
6/16 – Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
6/17 – Los Angeles, CA @ Knitting Factory NoHo
6/18 – Berkeley, CA @ Cornerstone Berkeley
6/20 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
6/21 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile’s Madame Lou’s
6/23 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
6/24 – Denver, CO @ HQ Denver
6/25 – Kansas City, MO @ recordBar
6/28 – Cudahy, WI @ X-Ray Arcade
6/29 – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
6/30 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Hi-Fi
7/1 – Cleveland, OH @ Mahall’s
7/2 – Cleveland, OH @ Mahall’s