The Flying Hasslehoffs – Music Brand

The Flying Hasslehoffs – Music Brand – EP Review

Alrighty…I know precious little about this duo from Florida, but I can certainly tell ya from the moment I pushed play on this four-song sampler of the ten-song album they released this past summer that it couldn’t possibly be The Flying Hasslehoffs’ first rodeo even though these cuts technically come from their debut record.  There ain’t a whole lot to go on in their bio online, so I couldn’t tell ya the backstory or their history – but I can definitely tell ya that the level of skill they possess and professionalism they bring to their recordings make it crystal clear that these two dudes were born to ROCK.  A debut can be a misleading thing, you know?  We tend to associate a first record with something brand-new – and while that’s certainly true of The Flying Hasslehoffs as a band, their core duo obviously has a ton of experience gained prior to this moment.  I might not know it for a fact, I just know it to be true – you don’t ever get to this level of confidence and precision on your first time out, it simply doesn’t happen.

So heck yeah – I’m impressed!  Keep in mind, this is also coming from someone that’s not really into the more traditional Rock grooves too.  As I’ve always said, if YOU are into the music YOU make, then chances are WE will be too as listeners on the other side of the speakers.  When I heard “THE LAST WORD” come rippin’ out with such energy and enthusiasm, and ALL of the right pieces in place – I mean…who would I be to complain?  I maintain – all music is always welcome here.  I still like Rock of course, I just don’t listen to it as much as I used to, that’s all.  I find much of that genre less convincing than it used to be now…that ain’t me coming atcha as the old man saying ‘it was all so much better way back when I was growing up’ – that’s me objectively tellin’ ya there’s simply less out there to enjoy and being played the right way.  The Flying Hasslehoffs actually had me pretty convinced from the very first track I heard called “THE LAST WORD” – these guys know their history and the roots of the genre, but they also have the chops required to make their music really stand out too.  I’m not here to argue that they’ve gone and recreated the wheel of Rock altogether – I don’t think that’s the case and it’d be nearly impossible for anyone to do that anyhow – but they put together a damn good tune and clearly have a wicked understanding of how to keep ya entertained.  “THE LAST WORD” was a really interesting hybrid of sorts when it comes right down to it…it’s got all kinds of serious shredding goin’ on with the guitars, it’s got the more traditional rumble & roll from the rhythm section…but when it comes to the vocals, not only did they sound great to me, it actually seemed to have a lot in common with something like Queen – and I don’t feel like I was expecting that based on how it all started, you dig?  Even in the verses, I’m sure we could debate about a much more comparable band or sound that they’re rocking with…but as they slide on into the pre-chorus and chorus…I mean, c’mon – that’s pretty damn Queen-like, ain’t it?  I don’t know about you y’all, but to be mentioned anywhere near the legendary Freddie Mercury and his extraordinary band in some kind of comparison should be a life-goal for every musician out there.  So yeah…it’s kind of like…hmmm…almost like they merged Steppenwolf and Queen together when you consider how this song shifts from its heavier Rock vibes into its more lightened-up and playful chorus.  “THE LAST WORD” got me interested immediately though…so let’s see what else they’ve got in-store…

“PIECES” took things in a completely different direction.  Think something along the lines of a more kaleidoscopic & colorful, Pop-inclined spin on a melody like you’d hear in Filter’s “Take A Picture” – it’s still nothing like that song directly of course, but it’s got that kind of comparable friendliness to it.  You don’t hear the scorching hot guitars you heard in “PIECES” like you just did on “THE LAST WORD” – it still flashes some moments here & there, like in the fantastic solo toward the end in the finale – but for the most part, The Flying Hasslehoffs present a more level degree of chill and harmony on this second cut from this sampler EP.  If anything, I think it’s safe to say this track is another statement tune of sorts too – it’s not making that same statement of wild musicianship you hear on “THE LAST WORD,” no – “PIECES” speaks much more strongly on behalf of their songwriting and vocals in my opinion.  You can definitely hear their gift for creating genuinely inviting vibes and hooks that’ll stick with ya as well – it’s basically a song that’s every bit as equally impressive as the opening song was, but for entirely different reasons.  If that doesn’t speak powerful volumes on behalf of the range and scope of what The Flying Hasslehoffs are capable of, I don’t know what else could!  I can fully hear how songs like “THE LAST WORD” and “PIECES” could exist cohesively on the same record and that they do indeed come from the same source – but other than that, it’s remarkable to hear how completely different these two tunes actually are.  There’s a stunning versatility & diversity in their sound that again points to stuff that only seasoned veterans of the scene would be able to create…so don’t let the debut album fool ya, these two definitely know what they’re doing when it comes time to push record – both these tunes are flawless.

“Life Is Beautiful” is…hmm…the only song I’ve got on this list that ain’t in ALL CAPS…so…there’s that.  I appreciate the ocular relief…I’ve never understood the ALL CAPS thing for everything…what room does that leave you with when you REALLY wanna emphasize something, you feel me?  Anyhow.  Beyond the grammatical semantics here, The Flying Hasslehoffs have a pretty darn great tune with “Life Is Beautiful” and I really feel like people out there will have no problem at all getting behind the energy that these two dudes are pumpin’ out into the world through their music.  They’ve got one of them…whaddya call it…one of them positive auras – yeah, that’s it!  You know what I’m talkin’ about though – there’s just something about the music that The Flying Hasslehoffs is making that you wanna root for.  It’s humble and grounded, yet essentially superhuman when it comes to its DNA and all that goes into it.  “Life Is Beautiful” is a sweet Rock song at the end of the day, but really only a stone’s throw away from the modern spin you’ve heard in crossover bands like Foo Fighters…or you could bring it back a bit further and say that they sound like a happier version of something like the Gin Blossoms here…it’s kind of got that whole mid-90s spin on Pop/Rock goin’ for it with the mix of sincerity and emotion you’ll find on display here, yet the kind of grittiness & indie street-cred in the sound to make it work.  The hooks on this track are basically undeniable – to the point where you’d definitely want to look at this cut as a potential single if you’re in The Flying Hasslehoffs.  Which, to their credit, it seems like they’ve recognized…there’s a lyric video that supports this tune, I’ve seen it written about directly in other online hotspots…the word is getting out there about this track and rightly so – it’s a solid tune from start to finish.  As I’ve been tellin’ ya from the get-go, these two dudes aren’t makin’ any mistakes or noticeable missteps…they’ve got a great bead on the kind of music they wanna create, and they execute like complete professionals every single time.

All-in-all, there’s a lot of flavor here, and it really doesn’t seem to matter which track you push play on.  As I listened to “THE ONE” and shifted back to ALL CAPS, I had to admire the way that The Flying Hasslehoffs have been able to blend the old and new so seamlessly throughout their tunes.  Like, from what you’ll hear on “THE ONE,” it’s clear that they’ve got real love for the roots of Rock and the years of its history…there’s a Classic presence and a timeless vibe at work on this tune driving it from the music to the microphone.  You also get that same relentless skill they’ve flashed throughout this whole set of four tunes from their ten-song album…I don’t know if they just happened to have picked the best of the best in that set, but I’d suspect it’s more of a case that you really can’t lose when it comes to this duo.  “THE ONE” could very well be my favorite of the four – which is truly saying something at this point, because I think they’ve nailed every one of these cuts and no matter which track I’d feel like was the ultimate winner of the bunch, it’d secure victory by a hair and nothing more.  Straight-up even right across the board, I think we have to conclude that The Flying Hasslehoffs just know what they’re doing, pure and simple, and they execute their vision for their sound at the highest of levels.  Precision drums, wicked guitars, clever & sincere songwriting, and a sound that really has a little something for everyone – it’d be hard to argue with that, and I ain’t feelin’ inclined to be the guy to fight a losing battle.  Comparisons can be made, but they’re really not too much of any one thing, giving them a hybrid style & sound capable of reaching a whole lotta people out there.  They’ve earned the accolades they’re getting from me, I assure you – The Flying Hasslehoffs notch a solid win with this set of four songs, and give you every reason to keep on listening as they surge forward into a bright future ahead.

Find out more about The Flying Hasslehoffs from the official website at:  https://theflyinghasslehoffs.com

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