Review Summary: A Hog Cranker's Delight!
Goddammit Johnny Franck.
I'm usually not the one to do a full cop-out when writing reviews, but expressing in an articulate manner just how Bilmuri (Johnny and his live band) successfully manages to churn out some of my favorite music of the 2020's time and time again is no easy task. The guy is literally writing cheesy emo-pop anthems with chugging guitars, a smorgasbord of EDM hooks, breakdowns, saxophone solos, country sensibilities and a litany of soundbytes pulling from video-games; oh did I mention his uncanny ability to layer the whole thing with god-tier ***posting as well? It's the type of self-indulgent hodgepodge that shouldn't work whatsoever and yet it continuously does without fault.
Following a string of miniature albums and EP's, a (somewhat) full-length offering is finally upon us.
The aptly titled
American Motorsports is the Bilmuri treatment concocted in the most elegant manner possible – ten concise tracks where Johnny is ruminating on failed relationships and heartbreak set against a summery backdrop of twanging' guitars and sugary electronics. Opener "Better Hell" is an excellent battle-cry laced with infectious guitar melodies and boasts one of Johnny's strongest choruses to date, with the rest of the album rarely taking its foot off the pedal as we plummet head first into the half-time, chug-a-lug, country barrage of "Empty Handed". Through and through Johnny's vocals sound more assured than ever and just about every chorus on offer manages to stick like candle wax to the eardrums. "2016 Cavaliers (Ohio)" is the type of camp-fire anthem that begs to accompany you on late-night summer drives as the sun sets in your rear-view mirror and the emotive closer "Drunk Enough" surprisingly strikes a chord, as Johnny pours his heart out detailing his journey to achieve sobriety.
The album is at its absolute best when Johnny fires on all cylinders with the kitchen-sink approach to his songwriting, though. "Spinnin' You Around" Is a strong argument for the best Bilmuri track to date with breakdowns galore, a flirtatious prog-metal guitar solo and yet (another) by-god catchy chorus from the man himself, whereas "Straight Through You" lets a serene saxophone melody elevate an already stadium-sized hook as the rest of the instruments glide by effortlessly in the busy soundscape. Even the multitude of features strategically placed on the record, from Mitchell Tenpenny ("All Gas") to Knox ("2016 Cavaliers") feel expertly dialed in, with Johnny giving away half the song in question to the featured guest before pairing back up on the last chorus to great effect – not a single moment feels half-baked or wasted.
Oh for ***'s sake did I mention that Kevin James is sampled as a breakdown callout in the bridge of "Empty Handed"?
Arriving just at the cusp of July,
American Motorsports is simply the perfect commute-to-work, beach, house party, random-summer-activity-album that you could imagine; it's the product of Johnny Franck honing his craft for almost ten years excellently showcased through unwavering musicianship, songwriting and attention to detail, front-to-back. The festive, hog-cranking season looms large: Muri Naysh, rise up.
