The work on East of Western is great and done with the sound only The Hangmen can deliver. Giving us the old style of punk with today's classic rock-inspired alternative, the songs are complete with the driving force of energy by Small's vocal and guitar talent, along with the same from Angelique Congleton's and guest musician Heathman. Dino Guerreo kills on the drums, banging his ever-loving heart out for the masses. "Had A Girl" and "I'm Your Man" are typical sounds in the vein of The Hangmen; easily identifiable to any of the band's devout fanatics like myself. A couple of references to Bob Dylan in "Railroad Man" and (naturally) "Homesick Blues," show off Small's apparent influence by the poetic rock legend. "Haunted" is a four-minute lullaby; it puts you out in a good way and is probably my most favorite of the album's ten tracks.
I recommend East of Western to anyone familiar with The Hangmen's material, whether positive or negative. If you didn't like them before, you will after you hear their latest. If you did like them before, it'll be double your pleasure. True rock sounds are hard to come by in today's pop-obsessed world, and there's not much to educate a noob with the few bands in the media that know the steps. Get yourself a copy of The Hangmen's latest offering by Acetate Records, and hear the real deal.
