REVIEW: The Hail Bop Group – ‘PASTOUT’

Over these last few years, US outfit The Hail Bop Group have established themselves as one of the more prolific names on the underground scene. Turning out a flurry of new material every few months, everything they do looks to build on what has come before, adding this wildly inventive edge to their progressive aesthetic. And with their reputation for killer anthems continuing to grow, they are now back once again with their latest studio album ‘PASTOUT’, a record that hones more of that enigmatic nature of theirs.

Right from the very start, ‘PASTOUT’ looks to mark itself as a raw and lively outing from the band. Combining this heady mix of blues-inspired textures with a distinctive garage-rock pace, this new seven-track collection finds them in a wonderfully broad and adventurous guise. Whether they are embarking on fast and tenacious grooves like on its opener ‘My Dude’ or the more subdued atmosphere of ‘The Alien Mind Of Man’, The Hail Bop Group embrace their newest incarnation with style and aplomb throughout.

It has certainly been a busy time for them these last few years, but ‘PASTOUT’ still manages to leave a lasting impression on their ever-evolving repertoire to date. With such a firm and focused approach to their direction at every turn, we are definitely going to be keeping a firm eye on this lot in the months ahead as well.