Album review: BLITZEN TRAPPER – Wild And Reckless

Lojinx [Release date 03.11.17]

Not stumbled across Blizten Trapper before until their new album arrived onto my review pile. They have been around since 2000 and ‘Wild And Reckless’ is their ninth studio album, so some catching up to do from me after enjoying this album.

Musically they cross many genres, listening to the album you hear bits of Green On Red, Tom Petty and a winning combination of country meets rock.

Main man Eric Earley has a perfect storytelling singing style with songs covering every day tales of revenge – the superb title track – and turning into a drugs dealer on ‘Rebel’. They get into a real country vibe on ‘Baby Won’t You Turn Me On’. The guitar playing on this is simply sublime. There is a real Tom Petty sound and feel on ‘Stolen Hearts’, from the harmonica intro through to Eric Earley’s Petty-like vocal.

For something completely different ‘Forever’ parts 1 and 2 use Beach Boy harmonies and all manner of effects in a theatrical tour de force. Quite possibly influenced by their own show ‘Wild And Reckless’ they performed earlier this year.

What an album, mixing musical styles and wonderful song lyrics that keep the art of storytelling alive. Blitzen Trapper certainly deserve to be more well known based on this album. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 2 March 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 4 March 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 7 April 2025

SEVEN BLOOD To The Unknown (indie)
FROM FALL TO SPRING Incomplete (Arising Empire)
POP EVIL Side Effects (MNRK Heavy)
ERJA LYYTINEN Abyss (Tuohi Records)
SKY VALLEY MISTRESS Too Many Ghosts (New Heavy Sounds)

Featured Albums w/c 7 April 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.