Soul, Blues and a wanton disregard for current fashions… it can only be another beautiful, timeless album from Robert Jon & The Wreck! After 2020’s ‘Last Light On The Highway’ made the number one spot in The Rockpit’s albums of the year a follow up was always going to be a difficult proposition but this year’s ‘Shine a Light on Me Brother’ makes that ‘hard act to follow’ cliché look rather moot.
Opening track ‘Shine A Light On Me Brother’ immerses you in what makes this Orange County band so special from the off. It’s energetic, uplifting and connects instantly, taking hard rock, horns, soul and with lyrics that attempt to lift us all out of our Covid malaise – it’s a keeper and the best possible statement of intent!
‘Everyday’ that follows is uplifting and run and wonderfully soulful, it’s got all you need to feel good like Black Crowes ‘Sothern Harmony’ with more abandon and Gospel in the mix. It’s also nice and loose and sounds like it was recorded with the band in the same room and features soulful backing vocals from Mahalia Barnes, Juanita Tippins, and Prinnie Stevens (the Australian trio) who just add to the sonic stew.
‘Ain’t No Young Love Song’ is another ray of summer sun, but more of a traditional Pop song than you might expect. There’s tinges of Springsteen in the folds and a surprisingly upbeat radio-friendly summer sound.
‘Chicago’ is simple yet wonderfully adorned, with languid horns and a sparse arrangement that centers your attention on the bittersweet vocal before the lush chorus slides in. It’s a song steeped in Soul and simply sublime and the sax solo just places that cherry right on top.
‘Hurricane’ contrastingly is a stripped bare ballad that begins with just acoustic guitar before the voice then keys glide in followed by the rest of the band. It smolders and glows beautifully drawing you in to the sad tale, It’s wonderfully mellow moment and another powerful song “like a ship sailing into a hurricane.”
‘Desert Sun’ gets us back rocking with a mid-tempo song driven by keys and vocals. It’s heartfelt and warming and hits a sweet spot. ‘Movin’’ which follows lets the guitar do the work and has a great riff and groove. Another standout here though comes next with ‘Anna Maria’ which has a wonderful story to tell of tangled love and pain. It’s a song that really lives through the emotional vocal and simply stunning with some wonderful accompaniment.
After a string of immensely satisfying songs all born during Covid, we come to the homestretch too soon. ‘Brother’ is heartfelt and powerful and has a wonderful Southern flavour. it’s another towering song and probably my current favourite, and man that guitar tone just hits the spot!
‘Radio’ the final song is a quickfire quirky Blues with a heap of swing and tells a tale of the perils of the music business. It’s a fun upbeat way to close.
Another classic you need in your collection. The hot streak continues!
9/10
TRACKLIST
SHINE A LIGHT ON ME BROTHER
EVERYDAY
AIN’T NO YOUNG LOVE SONG
CHICAGO
HURRICANE
DESERT SUN
MOVIN’
ANNA MARIA
BROTHER
RADIO
