There is some confusion in all this recent hero worship of rock and metal eras past. It’s all fine and dandy if we are, like some of the haunting occult space rock bands, taking things on a step or two or remoulding them into a new form. But simply replicating old styles with new production values is the worst of all worlds. Too often we end up with an overly slick and finely produced homage to great bands that were great because they were the first or the best of their era. The problem too is that music often simply fits the mood of a time past. Trying to faithfully relive those times smacks of self-indulgence or just a lack of creativity. Maybe I’m an idealist but bands in this category either have to do something really well or convincingly new. Anything else must be regarded either as a bit of fun or a bit of a waste of time.

So which of these is Gypsyhawk? Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy were heroes of their time. The fact that Phil came to such a sticky and untimely end has no doubt helped preserve the respect granted the band. So how easily can someone make a career out of that debt? Well Gypsyhawk’s second full length is certifiably slick and, self-evidently, a salute to Lynott-era Lizzy as well as other bands of that era. There are some very nice and reasonably heavy riffs knocking around and there is a depth and honesty to their no-nonsense brand of chugging 1970s rock.

This is not lightweight, throwaway party metal. Gypsyhawk have managed, partly through sheer force of talent, to keep themselves from drowning in the rising tide of bands that clearly wish they had been there and done it but weren’t. Tell me honestly that tracks like The Fields and Galaxy Rise are not quality music. And by the time we get to Silver Queen and State Lines they are really beginning to stretch the self-prescribed and confining boundaries they’ve set themselves. This is heavy, groove-laden, LA rock aiming straight between the eyes – unfocused and blurry from over-indulgence those eyes may be. Like a more laid-back Monster Magnet, Revelry & Resilience is very difficult not to like. Gypsyhawk’s hearts are clearly in the right place and they have set for themselves a standard of quality that sets them apart from the have-a-go heroes that so often try and fail to revere or cash in on the past.

 (7/10 Reverend Darkstanley)

http://www.myspace.com/gypsyhawkusa