Release Date: February
10, 2015
Label: Rounder Records
As the
summer season officially comes to an end, Blackberry Smoke’s Holding All the Roses is the perfect
companion to keep you company as the weather changes and the temperature starts
to drop. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Blackberry Smoke consists of Charlie
Starr (lead vocals, guitar), Paul Jackson (guitar, vocals), Richard Turner
(bass, vocals), Brandon Still (keyboards), and Brit Turner (drums). Holding All the Roses is their fourth
album and their first release since 2012’s The
Whippoorwill.
Holding All the Roses is a twelve track
album that is nothing short of pure gold. From the opening rocker to the
hauntingly beautiful ballad and to the catchy country tunes, Holding All the Roses offers up nothing
but quality goods from start to finish. If you are new to southern rock or it
has been awhile since you where into the genre, then this album is the perfect
place to get into it.
“Let Me
Help You (Find the Door)” starts with a kick and a jolt that electrifies not
just the song, but also the rest of the album. The bar is set high here with a
standout vocal performance and a short but oh so sweet guitar solo. There is a
confident attitude that shines right through the music, making it hard not to fall
in love with. It is just a perfect country rock song. “Holding All the Roses” keeps
things moving right along with a lively opening that never lets up, making for one
great foot-stomping tune with a blistering guitar solo. It has quite the catchy
chorus, as well.
“Living
in the Song” changes up the sound a bit by going the way of being an easygoing
country song with a nice flair of rock. Next up is the laid-back “Rock and Roll
Again” that is just a fun song with a great sing-along chorus. Overall, the
song has great rhythm and harmonies that flow right along that make for a very
pleasant song. The relaxed “Woman in the Moon” is breezy, end of the summer day
type of song. It is the perfect song to listen to out on a porch or deck as the
sun sets. Probably the most country sounding song on the album, “”Too High”
dazzles with its simplicity and honest lyrics. Changing things up and bringing
the rock and roll sound back into the equation is “Wish in One Hand,” which is
full of more fantastic musical work and a sleek guitar solo. The mellow “Randolph
County Farewell” is a short, acoustic guitar interlude.
“Payback’s
a Bitch” has all the right moves. There is an edge and steely determination
present in the music and vocals that is appropriate for the song’s theme of
revenge. It a great song for those just out of a nasty relationship. “Lay It All on Me” is a low-key and catchy country
song. “No Way Back to Eden” is controlled and emotive tune. It is simple and
beautiful. “Fire in the Hole” is a great way to cap off the album. It is the
type of the song that can be put on repeat and not grow stale. The music is
stirring and the vocals are as fantastic as ever here.
Blackberry Smoke’s Holding
All the Roses is a masterpiece of the southern rock/country genre. There is
just no way around it. Every song is a carefully crafted piece of work that gets
better with each listen. When compiling a list of essential albums of 2015,
BlackBerry Smoke’s Holding All the Roses
is without a doubt one that deserves to be on it.
5/5 Stars
Key
Tracks: Let Me Help You (Find the Door), Woman in the Moon, Fire in the Hole
Tracks:
01. Let Me Help You (Find the Door)
02. Holding All the Roses
03. Living in the Song
04. Rock and Roll Again
05. Woman in the Moon
06. Too High
07. Wish in One Hand
08. Randolph County Farewell
09. Payback’s a Bitch
10. Lay It All on Me
11. No Way Back to Eden
12. Fire in the Hole
Brian McKinnon - Write A Music Review Sr. Staff
September 11, 2015
Review
Provided By Write A Music Review
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