Sunday, June 1, 2014

SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW for JUNE 2014 / Great Western Valkyrie by Rival Sons




GREAT WESTERN VALKYRIE 
by RIVAL SONS
(Earache Records)

Jay Buchanan on vocals, Scott Holiday on guitar, Dave Beste on bass and Michael Miley on drums, the California based rock quartet better known as Rival Sons return with their highly anticipated fourth album, 'Great Western Valkyrie'. The new album is loaded with hard driving riffs, right off the mark, throw in a few screeching breaks, a couple lean soulful tunes, combined with concise vocals and you have something special and unique. 'Great Western Valkyrie' is a very strong, totally captivating slab of old school rock n' roll that is unlikely to disappoint too many fans of the classic rock sound. Once the opening number , "Electric Man" (Take You To The Sugar Shack)", comes thundering out your speakers the band have your undivided attention. From there on it's rock and roll bliss as the band serve it up with, "Good Luck: (It's Going To Hurt Right Now)", the energizing mover, "Secret (Just Bring Me A Jar Of Shine)", to the fuzzed up shot of adrenaline that is, "Play The Fool: (The Way Girls Talk)". The laid back swagger of the soulfully dark, "Good Things:( Boy With A Bomb In His Jacket)", the lead off single "Open My Eyes: ( Folding Like A Jack Knife) that has that bombastic Led Zep vibe to it. Rival Sons music is meant to be enjoyed through your surround sound, awesome headphones at maximum volume! The whole album sounds fantastic with loads of energy throughout thanks to the outstanding job in the production department courtesy of Dave Cobb (You The Man!) . Scott Holiday's guitar work is stellar and shows much more dimension than I have heard from him before. The rhythm section of, Dave Beste and Michael Miley are tighter then ever! As for Jay Buchanan's vocals. What can I say? His voice simply reels you in, his style may remind you of other great singers, but his voice is his own. Rival Sons just keep getting better and better. Every now and then, just when you think music is dead, or at least on life support, a band comes along and gives you hope. Rival Sons is one such band and 'Great Western Valkyrie' is an album that gives me hope. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society/All Access Magazine

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