Having toured with the likes of AC/DC, The Cadillac Three, Guns N Roses, Jeff Beck, and ZZ Top since their 2009 formation, the Nashville rockers Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown are back with their third album Truth and Lies (Snakefarm Records). It continues the quartet’s brand of Hard Rock meets Indie Rock, with the doomy riffs and slow-burning charm of album opener ‘Shock and Awe’ bringing Royal Blood to mind.

Their sound is nothing new but working with the Grammy-nominated producer Joel Hamilton (The Black Keys, Tom Waits) and touring with some of the biggest names in Rock has honed their songwriting skills. ‘Drives Me Mad’ is a propulsive little number with a relentless drumbeat and a frenetic riff, it is succinct and to the point. ‘On To The Next’ is another well-crafted song, with a slight Southern Rock flavour and a hooky, radio-friendly chorus. This level of conciseness runs through the whole record and aids the tight songcraft, with the bluesy ZZ Top-esque swagger of ‘Ride’ evidence of this. They even amp things up a bit, with ‘Eye to Eye’ sporting a heavy, grunge-like groove and a fiery solo.

The Tennessee foursome’s third album is a decent collection of big riffs, fuzzy guitars and hooky choruses that is a step up from their previous two efforts despite the increasing repetition.

6 / 10

THOMAS THROWER