Musketeer Gripweed – Floods and Fires

4.5 stars out of 5
If you were lucky enough to see these guys play the Aggie last month for the release of their fourth studio album, you’re already familiar with the absolute soul packed into Floods and Fires. On the unfortunate chance that you missed out on that show, take a listen. It’s well worth it. Front man Jason Downing, perhaps better known as Reverend Monkey-Paw Patterson, wastes little time in jumping head first into the soul-driving beard rock blues that envelop the album. “Nine Pound Hammer” kicks Floods and Fires into gear, a track that would make even the heartiest of Joel Osteen followers buy a leather jacket and a pack of cigarettes. Musketeer Gripweed introduces us to an alternate universe where Chris Robinson fronts the Grateful Dead in “A Train” before taking on a more nostalgic tone in the telling “Sin Eater,” beautifully complemented by Matt Goldberg’s keys and Erik Berry’s mandolin. Musketeer Gripweed is a band that makes the modern Fort Collins music scene such an incredible experience. Don’t skip out on some ‘Americana Revival Stomp Shake Ass Holla’ music at its finest.