Deadbolt

Respected for their longevity as much as they are for originating the whole voodoo rockabilly scene, Deadbolt are an institution. Why is that? It’s still a mystery. While I Should Have Killed You… is an earnest attempt at delivering solid four-on-the-floor rockers, there’s an overlying sensation that they should be far better at their craft on album number seven than they truly are. Moody and cryptic, the aura of this album is no less demonic or haunting as efforts in the past but tracks such as "Scary Voodoo Girl,” "Telephone The Dead” and "El Segundo” can’t escape seeming too garage-y; something that should have been an outtake, not album material. Playing is moderately listless and half-hearted and riffs are so uninspired they’re instantly forgettable and kind of dreary. Then again, the band’s "Leonard Cohen doing Type O Negative” delivery is as laughable as it is depressing. It’s about as enthralling as watching your uncle cut his toenails and feed you the clippings.