West Virginia Rockers known as Bobaflex have a well known reputation in the music industry as being one of hardest working bands within the entire country. They have been on the music scene since 1998 being formed by brothers Shaun and Marty McCoy. You might find it interesting to know that their last name, McCoy, is indeed tied to the historical “Hatfield and McCoy” because both of these brothers have ancestral ties to one of the most infamous family feuds in American history. Bobaflex consists of brothers, Shaun (vocals, guitars) and Marty (vocals, guitars) McCoy, Jerod Mankin (vocals, bass), Tommy Johnson (drums) and newly added David Tipple (guitars). The West Virginian rock band is back with a brand new album to follow up their last album Hell In My Heart (which featured hit singles “Bury Me With My Guns On”, “Chemical Valley”, and a remake of Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence”). Their new album is called Charlatan’s Web.
The first track on the album has a very distinct entrance into the album and it is called “Charlatan’s Web Intro (Love Letter from a Booking Agent)”. What makes this track very distinct is that it is a voice mail that was apparently left from a booking agent of theirs in the past that they supposedly did wrong in a way. It’s a great track, giving a certain amount of insight to the band about whom they are and where they came from; not afraid of showing their roots and true West Virginia spirit. The track to follow the eerie entrance into the album is called “Never Coming Back” which is a very fast paced song with a ton of energy. It’s a great track and a perfect one at that to follow up to the voicemail message from the previous track. “Wading Through the Dark” is the next track on the record. This is certainly one of the tracks on the album that showcases the bands unique ability that sets them apart by giving the track a hard rock sound as well as being a perfect rock song, both of which are mixed perfectly into one.
The next track on the album is also the current lead single, called “Bad Man”, and has all rights to be the lead single off of this album. It has a great southern rock sound; almost a Lynyrd Skynyrd sound to it, with the incorporation of the bands own unique style. “I’m Glad You’re Dead” is one of the darker songs on the album and it is the next song to follow. This song has a great harmonious sound and, even though it is one of the darker songs on the album, will certainly get fans up and off of their feet ready to rock. The following song is called “Pretty Little Things” and it is another one of the darker songs off of the album. The track starts out slow then jumps right into a full-on metal assault, a hard and heavy song that clearly shows the bands unique and signature style clearing up any critiques to say that this band still does not have it. With this track it leads into a continuous full on metal-assault with their next track called “Losing My Mind”. Both are great tracks for anyone that is a fan of hard rock or metal music. They both certainly prove that Bobaflex still has the skill and style that made them well known.
“School for Young Ladies” is an 80’s rock throwback that seems unexpected but somehow works perfectly well in this album. It brings you back to the days of Twisted Sister when they released the now infamous classic rock song “We’re Not Gonna Take it Anymore”. It is a great track, one that no doubt will become a fan favorite by long time fans and newcomers to the band. The second to the last song on the album is entitled “Strangle You” and it is one of the heaviest, aggressive, and fastest songs on the entire album. It makes for a killer song that really showcases the vocal range ability of Shaun McCoy. It makes for a great song that will get anyone up and out of their feet. “Rogue”, the last song on the album, is one of the most melodic songs off of the album. This song incorporates a tale of a love/hate relationship that only Bobaflex can deliver.
Charlatan’s Web is a great release by Bobaflex with track after track that will certainly make you want to get up out of your seat and rock. This record also certainly proves as to why they have earned the reputation for being one of the hardest working bands within the music industry. Long time fans and new fans to this band will certainly be more than happy with this album. Though the band has been on a small hiatus, they are certainly back with the same passion and energy that made them a fan favorite in the first place. They are able to show their roots and their unique signature style in this album giving them a re-announced reputation, with each track bringing something to the party. Fans of hard rock music, rock music, or metal music will no doubt fall in love with this album. Cryptic Rock gives this album 5 out of 5 stars!
- BFX Records
Written by Lee Letarte Jr
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