Reviews

__Here’s what the critics say about The Hornets.__

## Dangerous Dancing ## {#dangerous-dancing}

“Original and engaging with the right amount of swagger.” — _Garry Williams, Herald Sun (4 star review)_

“The Hornets are steeped in the blues, they rise out of the Yarra Valley delta meeting at the mythical crossroads where Chicago grit has blown in. This is an earthy blues band with a pedigree of outstanding musicians.” — _Warwick McFadyen, The Age_

## Good Stuff! ## {#good-stuff}

“This is a well named collection that isn’t the same old blues.” — _Garry Williams, The Herald Sun_

## Everybody’s Guilty ## {#everybodys-guilty}

“The Hornets are the Best Blues Band in Melbourne.” — _The Age_

“The Hornets have the sting in their tails that their name suggests, a classy disc”. –_ Rhythms Magazine_

“An album of great performances, and clearly sends a message that, classic Australian blues is alive and well.” — _Beat Magazine_

“An album of subtlety and taste.” — _Mixdown Magazine_

“Local roots band the Hornets have one of the most impressive CV’s around!” — _The Age_

“Craig Horne, has a deep soul voice and writes Melbourne blues songs like few others.” — _Patrick Donovan, EG Magazine_

“Treading a path through country, folk, Celtic and blues, this is music for the contemplative soul with the right amount of bounce.” — _Lee Howard, The Herald Sun_

## Can’t Live With You, Can’t Live Without You ## {#cant-live-without-you}

“What sets this album apart is the evocative voice of Craig Horne.” — _The Melbourne Times_

“The Hornets play a wholesome blend of R&B originals and covers but pack enough punch to please the purists.” — _Ian Beer, The Age_

“This veteran line -up blends R&B classics and originals in a highly entertaining combination.” — _Mike Daly, The Green Guide, The Age_

“Horne’s sometimes growling, oft times gravely singing snares the listener, demanding concentration on the lyrics.” — _Lee Howard, The Sunday Herald Sun_

“Bob Dylan at the Palais Theatre may well become a local blues classic.” — _Mike Daly, The Age_

“The Hornets personnel know all about forging down to earth context with their direct, bar room brand of excitement.” — _Terry Reilly, The Age_

“The Hornets could easily turn into one of those legendary organic outfits like New Orlean’s Funky Meters to catch the band live is a must!” — _Rhythms Magazine_

## The Suburban Beast ## {#the-suburban-beast}

“This is a classy local blues release that refuses cliché and pretence in favour of wry lyrical observation and tasteful musicianship.” — _ABC Radio_ [Read more](//abc.net.au/ballarat/stories/s1577635.htm)

“What you have here is the pure stuff-uncut potency mixed with an earthy, sweaty three piece sound.” — _The Age_

“The Suburban Beast has the classic Hornets groove and stellar playing from guitarist Jeff Burstin and keyboards from Bruce Haymes.” — _Patrick Donovan, The Age_

“The CD varies in tempo and feel allowing room for Horne’s convincing vocals and clever lyrics to consistently hit the targe” — _Billy Pinnell, Australian Guide_

“A good gauge of blues albums is to see how far you can drive in one direction before you need to change the disc-I managed 300 kays on the first outing with this” — _Jarrod Watt, ABC Ballarat_

“One of the greatest bands in the country, if not the world” — _Derek Guille, Drive Time 774_

## Loaded and Live at the Vault ## {#loaded-and-live-at-the-vault}

“Loaded and Live works through material from the band’s three studio albums, drenching the tunes in sweat from this live show. Horne does lascivious, pleading, raucous and nasty to great effect on this set Haymes performs some magic on the Hammond, in particular while Burstin adds to his reputation as the guitarist of the Melbourne music scene.” — _Lee Howard, The Sunday Herald Sun_

Both The Age and the Herald Sun Newspapers placed their two albums, Everybody’s Guilty and Can’t Live With You in their top 10 releases for their respective years. ABC Radio said their third CD The Suburban Beast “Is a classy blues release that refuses cliché and pretence in favour of wry lyrical observation and tasteful musicianship.”