Review: The Kentucky Headhunters 'That's A Fact, Jack!'

The Kentucky Headhunters

By Mike O’Cull

Southern rock juggernaut and 90s country superstars The Kentucky Headhunters sound like they’re just getting started throughout the group’s new release That’s A Fact, Jack. Scheduled to come out October 22, 2021 on Practice House Records, That’s A Fact, Jack! is as hot a set of new music as the Heads have ever dropped and the band’s signature blend of blues, country, southern rock, and top-notch songwriting skills rolls ever forward. Despite achieving a Grammy win, a CMA Album of the Year award, two CMA Vocal Group of the Year awards, two Top Ten albums, and four consecutive Top 40 singles, this talented crew still means every note and plays like a new band with something to prove. After decades of success, their love of what they’re doing remains plain to see.

That’s A Fact, Jack!, like almost every new album right now, is the result of the COVID pandemic and accompanying lockdown. The current four-piece Headhunters lineup of Richard Young (rhythm guitar, lead and harmony vocals), Fred Young (drums, lead and harmony vocals), Greg Martin (lead and slide guitar, acoustic guitar, lead and harmony vocals), and Doug Phelps (bass, lead and harmony vocals) watched helplessly as their 2020 calendar emptied out in double quick time until there were no gigs left. Still, they knew they were a band and bands needed to play. They decided to meet up at Mama Effie’s Practice House just as they have for the past 50 years and do exactly that, with no expectations of anything. They simply played what they wanted to play. Things eventually moved into the studio but the band kept the same wide-open attitude to their new material and wound up making the most eclectic-yet-coherent record of their lives.

The new record gets underway with the moody, mid-tempo chugger “Gonna Be Alright,” which preaches a message of perseverance during difficult times. This mighty band holds its fire back on this one, playing with restraint and discipline to let its lyrical message be heard. Martin and Young are an outstanding two-guitar team and each intuitively compliments the other here without ever breaking stride or overindulging.

“How Could I” is roots music greatness summed up. It touches on the blues, 50s rock, and the singer-songwriter tradition to create an emotive, hip-shaking song of apology full of soulful vocals and slide guitar. You’ll love it as soon as you hear it. It’ll make you remember the day you heard rock and roll for the very first time.

“Susannah” is heartfelt, delicate, and was originally inspired by the death of iconic drummer/vocalist Levon Helm of The Band. Helm and Doug Phelps were friends and Arkansas homeboys and Phelps took the news of Helm’s passing hard. That blast of real emotion triggered Phelps to write this graceful song about the women who sign on for a life with a musician. It’s sweet, genuine, and true, just the way it should be.

Watch “That’s A Fact Jack”

The Merseybeat-informed “Cup Of Tea” celebrates the vintage British rock sound that helped set the Heads in motion in their formative years. It’s a wonderful mix of country and Carnaby Street and situates these southern boys right in the middle of swinging London town circa 1968. You’ve never heard the Headhunters sound quite like this before but it’s brilliant.

The title cut “That’s A Fact, Jack” digs deep into some heavy, psychedelic blues/rock built on a big drum beat and epic guitar sounds. It’s a strong, physical song that grabs you by the collar and pulls you into oneness with your speakers. You’re also going to want to connect with “Cheap Tequila” and “Shotgun Effie.” The Kentucky Headhunters have emerged from lockdown firing on all eight cylinders and That’s A Fact, Jack! is one of the best albums of 2021. Get it and play it loud.