TOOLEBOX & THE CREW – Yeehaw 4 All – Album Review

June 22, 2023 maxbutler98

Toolebox & the Crew are set to release their sophomore full length album “Yeehaw 4 All”. This record is the culmination of a sound they have been developing since the release of their debut album “Introvert Expert” in 2017. Since their inception, the band has grown from their original three-piece line-up to a full five-piece band equipped with the addition of a banjo player and violinist.

The first song and title track off of the album “Yeehaw 4 All” is a satirical take on the state of modern country music. With a heavy dose of banjo and violin right from the start, this track does a great job of setting the tone stylistically for the entire album. The more traditional punk rock riffs make their showcase during the chorus where the band mocks country songs that repeat overused country tropes. “Yeehaw yeehaw yeehaw 4 all, turn up the radio and play something shitty”.

On the next song we get a sneak peak into Mr. Toolebox’s love life with “Minuteman”. With that description and song title, I’ll leave the lyrical content to your imagination until you can hear it for yourself. This track is one of the more folk-oriented songs on the album and features a violin solo that’s akin to the one that impressed the devil himself … You know the one.

Have you ever wanted to hear a Folk Punk cover of a song from Family Guy? Yeah, I didn’t know I wanted that either until I heard their version of the song “Bag of Weed” that originally debuted on the show in 2009. The cover does an impressive job of adhering to the original song structure, while also turning it into a full band jam that could easily become a catchy live staple.

“Casanova”, as the title suggests, is a light-hearted song about being a ladies man. The band’s rhythm section shines on this track and keeps you bopping along to the playful lyrics through the entire song. “I got several pretty ladies hitting me up …”. Big talk for a man that also claims to be a “Minuteman”.

No album that features a banjo would be complete without a ballad. In the song “Dear, Polly Possum”, The Crew take you on a journey through the final moments of a opossum’s life. While the premise of this song may sound ridiculous (because it is), it is written in a way that actually makes you feel a connection to poor Polly. “Rest in peace Polly Possum”.

“I Need Out” and “Beating Myself Up” mark a shift in style for the the album with a more serious tone. Musically the style remains rather similar to the songs prior, but the lyrics are less playful and more personal. “I wake up every morning with this numbing pain, and I’m more aware about it but I feel the same”.

The last four songs on the album start to lean into more of their punk rock sound. “My Last Day” kicks this sound off with more aggressive guitar tones and vocals. “War of Attrition” continues this sound and tells the tale of a friend lost to addiction.

“Newbox” features a heavy, slow, yet infectious guitar riff similar to what you’d expect to hear from early heavy metal bands. At this point in the album you’re not two stepping to banjo picking anymore. Put on your dad’s Black Sabbath T-shirt and let that hair down, it’s time to head bang.

“My Plan to Kill the World” wraps up the album with an angsty track. If at this point you thought this band couldn’t rock out, you’ll be proven wrong when the chorus graces your ears with aggressive riffs and even more aggressive vocals. Still not convinced? Shortly before the album concludes, they were sure to throw a guitar solo in for all you naysayers.

Overall this album builds nicely from song-to-song and features plenty of diversity. In a day and age where your local radio station plays the same similar sounding songs on repeat, it is refreshing to hear something unique.

Physical copies of “Yeehaw 4 All” will be available at the band’s Indie Wrestling and Music festival Shackapalooza on June 23rd and 24th and on all streaming services June 27th.

Lead vocals/Guitar – Jeremy Toolebox

Bass/Vocals – Travis Arrendale

Drums – Matt McClead

Banjo/Vocals – A.J. Rutter

Violin – Gary Gerber