His first album since 2008's
Vicious Country
,
The Fight Is On
still finds
Popa Chubby
in a combative mood, slowing things down a little bit for a stroll down memory lane on the acoustic
"Switchblade Combs and Candy Cigarettes,"
but primarily pounding out heavy blues-rock that leaves plenty of room for him to solo. More than most recent
Chubby
albums, this is rock-oriented in its riffs and solos -- he goes so far as to tag on a live cover of
Motoerhead'
s
"Ace of Spades"
at the end -- but the album is still given a contemporary blues production, so there's just a bit too much air and cleanliness to the sonics. Still,
's playing is spirited, and his aggressive tunes can be forcefully ingratiating. ~ Stephen Thomas Erelewine