Review: 'Crooked Hill' Cam Cole

Photo: Cam Cole by Kevin Falcon

By Mike O’Cull

One-man rock and roll band Cam Cole puts down the real, high octane hard stuff on his new record Crooked Hill. Released July 30^th by New Age Records UK, the album captures a heavier, harder sound than his previous work and it adds an up-to-the-minute sensibility to Cole’s roots-based jams. The tracks were produced and mixed by Markus Stretz at The Premises Studio A in London and give off an explosive energy that’s hard to believe is all coming out of a single person. Cole’s work is inspired by rock giants like Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Queens Of The Stone Age, Black Sabbath, Kyuss, Soulfly, and Rage Against The Machine but his astute songwriting and fully-solo performance style keep him set apart from any would-be competition.

Simply put, Cam Cole is the greatest one-man-band you’ve ever seen. Based in London, Cole has developed the ability to sound like a complete group of musicians all by himself. He plays low-tuned slide guitar, sings via microphone and megaphone, and rocks a strong drum kit groove with his feet. He is an internet sensation with an ever-expanding fan base whose imminent breakthrough was waylaid by the COVID pandemic. His debut effort I See came out in 2019 to strong reviews and established his presence on the scene. Now that the world is opening up again, Cole is ready to step out and blow people away with a tougher vibe and a lyrically-relevant album about lost connections and the way people deal with each other. He’s an overwhelming experience on every level and vibes like a star about to rise.

Cole opens Crooked Hill with the heavy groove of “Albion.” The track deftly blends elements of Nirvana-ish grunge rock with the primordial spirit of the blues in a way that’s seamless and immediate. Cole is clearly a genre-smasher and a game-changer in the world of guitar music, delivering might, finesse, and innovation in equal measure. Once you hear him, there’s nowhere to go but further into his soul.

“Commercial People” is a kick in the teeth and a scathing rebuke of over-consumers and the gentrification they often bring. Hearing one person go this hard and also be lyrically fearless demonstrates what it means to fully commit to a song and a performance with every fiber of your being. This track would slay if it were three guys. One? Forget about it. Beyond impressive.

“I Don’t Need To Live Your Way” is uptempo and slams its fuzzed-out punk/Sabbath groove directly into your brain like great rock music should. It’s one of the best songs on the record and shows Cole at the peak of his powers. He sounds like a full band because he makes the most of what really matters in rock and roll: big riffs, intense vocals, and grinding beats. He clearly knows what it takes to get people moving and he doubles down on every bit of it. “High” is evocative and moody and lets us know he’s just as able to knock us out with hypnotic artistry as with gut-punching guitars. It’s a cool, atmospheric song with a stony feel and killer guitar tones.

“Awareness” is a stomping deep cut with a vicious riff that mixes blues intervals with metal energy and rage. Cole calls out his socio-political lyrical message over the top in a snide, ferocious way that should grate on exactly who he’s aiming at. He doesn’t waste time on guitar solos or other frivolities, preferring to instead keep the anger up and pumping on the strength of his rhythm guitar work, which is truly heavy-duty. When you hear it, you’ll understand. Every tune here rules and, if Cam Cole isn’t destined to take on the world, then no one is. Graft yourself onto Crooked Hill now and be hipper than ever before. Ultimately recommended.

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