The Tailgators' music has always been rooted in American rock. For this effort they reach into the swamp country of Louisiana and come out with some smokin' zydeco. The title track "Hog Groove," which is also the first on the album, is a hot tune.
Don Leady's accordion licks sound as if zydeco music has been in his blood all his life; he's a natural. Even though the solos are not complex, they are certainly soulful and melodic. The rhythm section keeps the beat strong and very danceable. Variety is a key word in describing this record. On "Tico Tico," one finds a neat Latin-flavored instrumental with hints of a surf influence coming from the lead guitar phrasings. With the next tune, "Stop That Rappin," the sound moves toward a straightforward boogie-woogie; it has all the fixings for the swing generation of the new millennium. "Talk to Me" falls into the blues-zydeco style, with some super sax work from
Joe Cabral. What gives this song a special feel are the small nuances which
Don Leady's accordion accents lend. "Howlin' for My Darlin' " is a funk-driven blues cover that showcases the talent behind the drum kit. "Shake That Zydeco" has excellent vocal harmonies in the chorus and features some more of the accordion that really swings, all the while resounding the classic groove from " 'Til the Cows Come Home." "Button Box" is sure to be a favorite of Cajun/zydeco music fans, the "button box" being a reference to the accordion that's heavily featured. The harmony between lead guitar and accordion in the solo is ace. Zydeco bands will certainly want to do their own covers of this tune, maybe even in Cajun-French. "Deuces Wild," a
Link Wray cover, gives surf music fans another tune to keep in their repertoire. With the primitive drum beat, the power chords, and the melodic fretwork on lead guitar, echoes of the ocean are near. Any track from the album is sure to get the joint hoppin'. This is a high-energy production, following in the tradition of previous releases from the Tailgators. This is party music as it was intended to be played: loudly. So strap on those dancin' shoes, 'cause tonight the Tailgators are telling everybody It's a Hog Groove!. ~ Larry Belanger