Album Review: Airbourne – Boneshaker

Now several LPs into their career, the Warrnambool group Airbourne reportedly sought to make an album in the same vein as the classic recordings from the legendary Albert's house of Oz rock.

They stick to the convention of penning no-frills, riff-heavy songs with fist-pumping choruses, and each release differs little from the one before it. The quartet also continue to praise the road lifestyle, with the frantic Rock 'N' Roll For Life (seems almost too obvious a song title for this band), Backseat Boogie (which does exactly what it says on the tin) and Sex To Go's lascivious swagger.

The band has a lived-in, well-worn sound, although on Boneshaker the attack feels leaner and meaner; the album's ten tracks span just 30 minutes. And as is par for the course, there are no ballads, no acoustic guitars and no keyboards. Instead, it's hard-rock stripped to its bare essentials – piercing guitars, pounding drums and bass and Joel O'Keeffe's tireless screams. The hooks don't always consistently pack the same punch as their early days, and there's not as many bonafide bangers. That said, cuts like Burnout The Nitro will still be gleefully received live, where this band truly excels anyway.

Boneshaker offers no surprises, but it's the ideal soundtrack for anyone who's idea of a balanced meal is a beer in each hand.