As the debates for album of the year begin and new releases start to slow down at the end of the year, the Southern River Band (SRB from here out in this review) have walked up to the table and threw a razor-sharp switchblade in the middle of it to command everyone’s attention. SRB has delivered some excellent songs in the past, and their last album (‘D.I.Y.’) was really good, even though it felt much more like a collection of songs than a proper album. The early songs from this album mostly grabbed me right away, but I had no idea that this would immediately be put on repeat. Do you ever listen to a new album and wish there was a way to listen to every song at once, because this is what this album does?

SRB kicks things off with one of the early singles, ‘Don’t Take It to Heart’, whose video showcases some of the humour the band incorporates. As a song, it is a hard rocker where the hook is huge with Cal Kramer’s vocals having a special quality of being infused with heart, soul, spirit, and a charisma all its own that allows him to deliver killer lyrics across this whole album. Being from Australia, there is an AC/DC influence in the musical mix, but I really think there must just be something in the water that makes that happen. The guitar solo blasts its way through the speakers. Great work by the rhythm section establishes ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ as the song is part blues rocker and part anthemic hard rocker. The guitar riff commands air guitar participation. There are some twists and wrinkles through the song that really elevate it to a whole other level. ‘Bad Luck Baby, Bye Bye’ slightly slows things down to really work a riff that is pure rock n roll from the same well as the Rolling Stones and Faces. The lyrics jump out here with the chorus being an immediate sing-along opportunity. 

Slowing things down with the semi-ballad ‘It’s What It’s,’ the band crafts an introspective journey about growing older and looking at life. I’m sure this will be a song in future live shows, where the crowd is ultimately who sings the song. The subtle musical touches provide the perfect counterpoint to the more rocking ‘One Last Dance.’ There is a strong ’70s influence in the verses, with a chorus that is somehow subtle and also hits the listener over the head. The band ends the first half of the album with the excellent ‘Suits Me, Just Fine.’ The lyrical reference to Van Halen seems appropriate for SRB as well. There are some David Lee Roth years touches across the album through both the vocals and lead guitars. These songs are timeless in their approach. At one point, I thought this could have been what Stillwater from the movie ‘Almost Famous’ would have done a few albums down their imaginary career.

Midway through the album, there has not been a moment or a song where I have not connected to the music. SRB provides a new wrinkle with acoustic guitar driving the opener of bluesy ‘All Over Town.’ It is a brilliant addition to the album and sets up the explosiveness of the rest of the song. The guitar work across the album is awesome, and there is some added slide in the mix here. There was one early single where I was not initially grabbed. I listened to it once or twice, but did not keep going back to it like I did with the other ones. My first time listening to the album thoug,h the song clicked in a big way. ‘No Such Time’ has a cool 70’s bluesy rocking groove, and I don’t know why it didn’t immediately click. I also cannot explain how it went from not clicking to a favourite among favourites. The dual vocals provide another atmosphere to the album, and this one also fits that earlier motif of Stillwater years later. The bass and drums are locked in an awesome groove. The band continue to throw in new elements with ‘Lay It On Me’ reminding me of the Rolling Stones when they incorporated some of those disco-type beats, or what Kiss could have done if they had made “I Was Made for Loving You’ a hard rock song first and then added the other elements. I could see a music video where the band is playing on American Bandstand back in the late 70s or early 80s.

The final quarter post of the album kicks off with the rocking ‘Fuck You, Pay Me’, where we once again see the humour the band incorporates into their lyrics when appropriate. It is another huge hook and sing-along song that fuses itself with the listener. This is where I suggest y’all buy something from the band so Cal doesn’t have to try and sell his gear or a kidney. ‘We’ve Got Plans Tonight’ cranks up the rock n roll and feels like the Quireboys (without the piano). At just over two minutes, the song demolishes the room in record time, with a harmonica solo being the cherry on top of this sonic jubilation. The band could have made this the album closer and had it swap slots with ‘One of These Nights (I’ll Be Gone),’ but this order works brilliantly too. They end with an epic ballad (and the current single) with a catchy ‘I’ll be gone’ refrain. It is not hard to see the live crowd swaying their arms with their cellphones, lighting up what should be an arena.

SRB deliver 12 outstanding songs without missing a moment across the album. Each element here really is lightning in a bottle as the album delivers killer songs, great mix and production, and a cohesiveness that brings everything together. The follow-up album will be a tall task filled with huge expectations now. That is for the future, though. Let’s take time to enjoy a very strong album of the year contender, but more importantly than that, an album to play continuously in the many years to come.

‘Easier Said Than Done’ is available now.

Facebook

Buy Here

Author: Gerald Stansbury