RYAN HAMILTON Haunted By The Holy Ghost
Wicked Cool [Release date 10.03.23]

Texan singer-songwriter Ryan Hamilton is back with his third album and he has been hailed by Spin magazine as one of the ‘35 Best Lesser Known Artists of The Last 35 years’. Further accolades on his work have come from the likes of Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), Clem Burke (Blondie) and Mike Peters (The Alarm).

The aim then is for this album to be his breakthrough, as Hamilton said, “I’ve been on the verge of tipping the proverbial scales for several years now. I’ve had some incredible people supporting me, and championing me. Now that all the pandemic-related road blocks are out of the way, it’s time.”

The whole album is an upbeat one musically, despite the sometimes downbeat lyrics. Take the title track which is about having the fear of God ingrained into him from attending church three times a week throughout a very conservative upbringing. It has an addictive pop rock riff and along with his Valentine’s Day offering, ‘Asshole’, are certified radio friendly bangers.

‘Sad Bastard Song’ is a superb take on how many a music fan only wants to hear a ‘woe is  me’ song and lyric. He has a knack throughout the album of penning lyrics that raise a smile, yet at the same time get the listener thinking.

‘Paper Planes’ has an air of Jellyfish and Butch Walker about it – another possible single release. Jessie Wagner adds her vocals to ‘On The Edge’, a jaunty melody not unlike Counting Crows. Hamilton achieved his aim on ‘Broke My Heart, Fixed My Vision’ as it is indeed the best song Weezer wished they had recorded!

The album has one cover, ‘Yeah, Whatever’ by the ‘90s alt-rock band Splender. A decent version and fits the album’s overall sound/feel well.

Ryan Hamilton has poured his all into this album which deserves the plaudits it will doubtless gain and most importantly a wider audience. One of 2023′s indie pop rock ‘must haves’. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

RURA Dusk Moon Website [Release date 17.03.23]

Rura are back with their fourth studio album (sixth overall), a band who have gained many a rave review and appeared on many a stage, including a spot on BBC1′s Hogmanay celebration.

Rura consist of Steven Blake (pipes, keys), Jack Smedley (fiddle), David Foley (flute, bodhran) and Adam Brown (bass). Between the four of them they create a smorgasbord of sounds, from the traditional pipes and fiddle on ‘Think Of Today’, to the gentle guitar, pipes and fiddle on ‘The Soft Mist Over Us All’ (a tune gifted to fellow musicians Graeme & Carly Armstrong for their wedding). Those after a bit of a jig about ‘The Grove’ is perfect. The guitar and fiddle playing in particular are a wonder on the ears.

To be fair, a band as good as Rura you tend to run out of superlatives, safe to say this is another fine collection of accessible folk music which will appeal to anyone with an ear for a good melody and top notch musicianship. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

RACHEL BAIMAN Common Nation of Sorrow
Signature Sounds [Release date 31.03.23]

Acclaimed songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rachel Baiman has emerged as a fearless voice of the American female experience. For the first time she produced the album herself, joined by Miles Miller on drums and vocals.

‘Old Songs Never Die’ is a wonderful piece of bluegrass, whilst ‘Self Made Man’ hits hard lyrically whilst having a joyous banjo riff. This one, along with ‘Some Strange Notion’, are the album’s stand outs.

At times a deeply personal listen (on ‘Lovers and Leavers’ she describes her lifelong battle with bipolar), Rachel Baiman has created an accessible album of Americana with a distinct bluegrass feel. ***

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

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