Album Review: Angels On My Pillow Devils In My Head by Fat Knuckle Freddy
If you're the kind of person who likes their blues with a side of grit and their rock served raw, Angels On My Pillow Devils In My Head might just be your next obsession. Released in 2016 by the self-proclaimed Fat Knuckle Freddy (FKF for short), this album is like that one friend who shows up uninvited but ends up being the life of the party. It’s electric blues meets blues rock, drenched in sweat, soul, and enough swagger to fill a Texas honky-tonk.
Let’s cut to the chase—this isn’t some polished-over studio masterpiece. Nope. This is DIY done right, self-released under FKF's own label, which gives it an authentic edge. You can tell Freddy didn’t spend hours agonizing over perfection; instead, he let the music breathe, warts and all. And honestly? That’s what makes it stick.
Standout Tracks: "Shot In The Head Blues" & "God Got Drunk When The Devil Got Married"
First off, there’s “Shot In The Head Blues.” If ever a song title summed itself up perfectly, this is it. From the opening riff, you know you’re in trouble—or at least, Freddy does. His vocals are raspy, raw, and dripping with attitude, like he smoked a pack of cigarettes while writing it. The slide guitar solo hits harder than a hangover on a Monday morning, and the lyrics? Pure chaos wrapped in poetry. “Shot In The Head Blues” feels less like a song and more like a confession from someone who’s been through hell—and lived to laugh about it. It’s memorable because it doesn’t try too hard. It just is.
Then there’s “God Got Drunk When The Devil Got Married,” which sounds like the plot of a bad B-movie but somehow works as a tune. This track has a groove so infectious you’ll want to stomp your boots even if you’re sitting in your pajamas. Between Freddy’s gravelly voice and the tambourine shaking like crazy (props to Young Brett for multitasking), it’s impossible not to nod along. The chorus sticks to your brain like gum on a hot sidewalk, and the whole thing leaves you wondering how Freddy came up with such a bizarre yet brilliant concept. Spoiler alert: He probably wrote it after midnight.
Behind the Scenes: Who Did What?
Props go out to Todd Hutchinson, who wore multiple hats here—recording, mixing, mastering—and somehow made everything sound cohesive without losing that live vibe. Patrick Guerette nailed the artwork, giving the album cover a moody, almost haunted look that matches the vibe inside. As for Young Brett? Dude played snare, bass drum, cymbal, AND tambourine. Either he’s got eight arms or he’s secretly a robot. Either way, respect.
Final Thoughts: A Little Rough Around the Edges, But Isn’t That Life?
Fat Knuckle Freddy’s Angels On My Pillow Devils In My Head isn’t gonna win any Grammys, but it doesn’t need to. It’s real, it’s raw, and it reminds us why we fell in love with blues and rock in the first place. Sure, it could use a bit more polish in spots, but then again, so could most of us.
So grab a cold beer, crank up the volume, and let Freddy take you on a wild ride. Just don’t blame me if you wake up tomorrow humming “God Got Drunk When The Devil Got Married.” Oh, and one last thing: if angels really do sit on pillows and devils live in heads, I think Freddy found the perfect balance between heaven and hell.
Rating: 8/10 – Because sometimes imperfection is perfection.
