Hello, everyone in internet land!
Welcome to my new column!
As a musician, I am not just a fan of playing & writing music. I am also a HUGE fan of music in general. (My iTunes library currently has over 13,500 songs…and if you don’t think that’s a lot, try counting that high.)
I’ve been a self-proclaimed music junkie from the time my ears could recognize a melody. It’s a way of life to me.
God was gracious enough to grant me with what I describe as a “jukebox in my noggin.” There’s always a song playing in my head, and I am thankful that it’s always on!
All that said, I am proud to announce a new addition to my blogs: My “Artist On Artist” segment!
Here, I will be discussing & reviewing everything from albums to artwork. So stop on by from week to week! Who knows…you may just like what I have to say.
For my first post, I am reviewing Rival Sons’ album “Head Down.”
I literally found these talented guys by accident while cruising through iTunes a few years ago, and I haven’t stopped listening to them since!
Musically, their style of classic, energized rock & roll mashing into blues is brilliantly executed. While the wailing, soulful vocals of Jay Buchanan serve as the music’s ideal companion.
I was hooked right from the get-go. It wasn’t just the Sons’ style of music that got me…it was their use of sounds. Guitarist Scott Holiday has an array of boutique pedals that he is not at all shy to show off (which appeals to me, because I’m a gear head.) Mike Miley’s inventive drumming is very reminiscent of early Keith Moon and John Bonham, and it is perfectly mated with (now former) bassist Robin Everhart’s smooth, yet punchy bass lines.
All in all, the Rival Sons have absolutely hit the nail on the head in terms of putting out numerous pieces of outstanding music, and I am sure they will continue to do so for many years to come.
“Head Down” is the band’s latest release.
Front to back, the album is brilliant. Period.
Kicking things right off with a proverbial sucker punch, ‘Keep On Swinging’ grabs you with a fuzzy guitar riff, and a hooky chorus that you wouldn’t be surprised to find in a church.
From there, the band launches into a barrage of tunes that would make any rock & roll fan salivate.
With foot-stomping, finger snapping tracks like ‘Wild Animal’, ‘Until The Sun Comes’, & ‘All The Way’, the Sons prove that they are a rock juggernaut true to their genre.
On the track ‘Run From Revelation’, Holiday weaves his beautiful, snake-like slide guitar riffs…while on more laid back tracks like ‘Jordan’ & ‘True’ the band showcase their more ballad driven side.
Winding down towards the end of the album, the Sons hit you with ‘Manifest Destiny, Pt. 1’…a song that would make Jim Morrison himself proud!
Needless to say, this is by far one of my favorite albums. If I owned a vinyl copy, I’m sure I would have worn new groves into it by now.
Rival Sons are DEFINITELY a band worth checking out! Keep them on your radar!
I had the pleasure of chatting with Mr. Miley himself about a month ago, and he was kind enough to tip me off to their new (now not-so-secret) album coming out this June…and yes, I am beyond excited for it to hit!
For more on the band, check out their media here:
Thanks for stopping by, friends!
Cheers!
~Books