Signed by Kivel Records for last year’s ‘Ten & 2’ album, Nashville’s The Great Affairs are back with a skinny yet perfectly formed three track EP ‘The 2019 Sessions Volume 1.’ If you know the band then you’ll be aware of their sound which mixes Classic Rock with a swathe of more contemporary influences, dipping it’s toes in Pop and Americana along the way.
At just three tracks it’s hard to review but the three tracks here are enough to suggest that like with the ‘Ten & 2’ album we’ll be in for something special.
This collection kicks off with ‘I’m Alright’ a song which the press release suggests is an attempt to marry “The Hellacopters with Enuff Z’Nuff” and it was that statement that made me break my usual band on reviewing short releases. And you know what – they’re right! There’s a nice Donnie Vie inflection in the lyrics and a wonderful melodic thrust that makes you think of Blue Island’s finest, but a nice bit of grunt circa the ‘Strength’ era or indeed yes The Hellacopters.
There are miles between that song and the delicately plucked opening to ‘In The Wreckage’ a gentle ballad that has a wonderful soothing quality and Petty-like composition, and whose simplicity is augmented by some wonderfully sparse guitar and percussion. It’s another great song, as is the closer ‘Satellite’ which again twists another way again. It’s an Americana tinged strum with again great melodies and nice laid back feel.
This one is easily recommended and whilst it gives you three different tastes in three rather different songs it’s definitely a band you’ll be wanting to order more up from.
The Great Affairs:
Denny Smith: Vocals, Rhythm & Lead Guitars, Acoustic Guitars, Harmonica, Piano
Patrick Miller: Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Vocals
Matt Andersen: Bass, Vocals
Kenny wright: Vocals, Drums, Percussion
with Michael Saint-Leon: Slide & Baritone Guitar on “In The Wreckage”