I suppose I should own up in advance and let you know that I am writing this under the influence of rather a large amount of alcohol (thank the lord for spellchecker). Some Hard Rock House readers may be shocked to know it’s only 7pm, other readers may be thinking “that’s the way to do it”. I can say no-one need panic as I have already been living with this album for a week so my verdict has already been assembled and without further ramblings here is the low-down on American Dog’s new album “Hard”.

American Dog are a powerhouse kick ass rock n roll three piece featuring Michael Hannon (ex Salty Dog and Dangerous Toys) on lead vocals and bass, Steve Theado (guitar and vocals) and Frankie Garisto (drums). They hail from Columbus, Ohio in the U.S.A. and since the millennium they have been rocking audiences in their homeland and around Europe, and believe me when I say rocking I mean fu**ing rocking “big style”.

The bands sound has been developing slowly but surely into hard rock that moves the listener in the most primal way thanks to the music being firmly based on classic rock values. American Dog plays in your face roadhouse rock, which fans of AC/DC, Ted Nugent, Sea Hags and Lynyrd Skynyrd will lap up.

A lot of people got switched onto American Dog after the release of Scars And Bars (2005) others were onboard even earlier after the release of Red, White, Black And Blue (2003). If you’re already a fan I can tell you that the latest album sees the band digging deeper and delivering a slab of testosterone fuelled, swaggering boozy hard rock that really satisfies.

The album opens with a short instrumental featuring a pounding and speedy drum and guitar riff feast and ending in some nice feedback, which hangs over into “No Pity”. The first thing that struck me about this track wasn’t just the in your face riffs and guitar fills but the vocal delivery from Hannon. There is something about his delivery which brought to mind prime time Dave Lee Roth. It’s the subtle mixture of melody and almost conversation like quality delivered in a great attitude laden direct manner. It also helps that the song bounces along in the same way that Van Halen's “Bottoms Up” does. All in all this is a winning start to the album.

Next up is “Sometimes You Eat The Pussy” and to get the best from this song you need to leave your sensible head at the door and just revel in good fun. If you’re a budding Mary Whitehouse this song will have you fuming and compiling a letter of disgust. For many of us it will raise a knowing smile and feel almost autobiographical. If anyone out there isn’t up to that chapter all I can say is you aren’t going to the right bars and meeting the right girls.

“Another Day In Paradise” is a heads down, foot to the floor rocker. It grooves and moves in unstoppable style and will have you punching your fist in the air and strapping on that air guitar. There is a great three part harmony guitar solo and in your head you can add your own fourth part harmony if you so wish.

“Hypnotised” is a simple and effective chugging rocker, which bounces along with glee. It has a nice wah drenched guitar solo, which keeps the mood subtly sleazy and slightly trashy.

The next track “Long Time Comin'” delivers one of the most down home hard rocking musical rushes I have head for a long while. The track opens with a tasty acoustic solo piece which brought to mind similar musical moments as provided by Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and Van Halen with “Black Mountain Side” and “Ice Cream Man” respectively. As the acoustic fades away the electric guitar fades in with a big, fat, meaty and downright juicy chord. Guitarists out there will know what I am describing. A big and swaggering bluesy riff dominates this song and proceeds to stomp its way all over the track. Great slide guitar adds a nice dash of flavour and the song is one big riff fest providing a great jam track for all budding rock guitarists out there.

Next up is “Beaten, Broken etc” and it also features a bluesy acoustic guitar riff. One instinctively knows one is about to hear a straightforward hard blues-rocking romp and the band don’t disappoint. This is music to smile to, jump up and down to and if one is honest about it get totally drunk to.

“Rock n Roll Dog” sees the band giving us their own brand of Rolling Stones meets Skynyrd party rock. It’s trashy but solid as it wanders and staggers its way along.

“Spell On Me” ploughs the same glorious musical vein and adds a cracking guitar solo for good measure.

“Little Short” sees the band grooving to a dark melody and showing they can change the texture of their music when they want to. It’s a short and sweet number, which demonstrates Steve Theado can pull out his brand of crazy Van Halen meets Billy Gibbons licks when the fancy takes him.

“Bloodsucker” is an up tempo number. It’s straightforward and could be about a lot of women I have met down the years. Thankfully they are all in the past (thought I had better add that in case the wife reads this!).

The last track is “Magnificent Bastard” and one feels the band has saved its most polished guitar riffs for the end of the album. The song moves along and builds in fine style. We get some added texture from keyboards and it shows a side to the band that hasn’t been on display before.

American Dog has once more delivered an album that is honest and simple. There are grooves on here, which will have the most jaded rocker moving within no time, and its simplicity means it will keep its bite over many repeated plays. It’s the perfect soundtrack for those of us who like to drink long into the evening and party till we’re wasted .If that’s you I would whole-heartedly recommend you take a walk out with the American Dog.