Provogue Records [Release date 13.09.19]
Kris Barras is a contemporary rock-blues hero for the new generation. He’s got the chops, the back story, a booming voice, an eye for a good melody and a catchy chorus, topped by some coruscating solos.
There’s virtually no slack on this album, and whether he immerses himself in a retro 80’s big hair band sound of ‘Broken Teeth’, the big wall of sound of ‘Bullet’ and ’6AM’, or the commercial impulse of ‘Vegas Son’ – the chorus of which could be Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Kris Barras has so many options in his locker, his versatility enables him to approach different facets of rock with his credibility wholly totally intact.
Let’s be honest the K in his name stands for Kick ass! He lays things on the line on the opening track, ‘What You Get’, predicated on the explanatory line: “What You See Is What You Get.”
And it’s true, as Barras has no hidden agendas, no dead space and no ghosts in his locker. He’s got the hunger, the fire and the licks and he wails to the heavens as he rocks his ass off.
It’s often said that the flow of the songs is both the glue and the skeleton of an album. And it’s a lesson well learnt by Barras, as he sandwiches the enveloping radio friendly hook and imperious solo of the outstanding ‘Vegas Son’ between the muscular stomp of ‘Broken Teeth’ and the chanted hook of ‘Ignite (Light It Up)’.
If ‘Vegas Son’ is the defining anthem that will make him a major contender in the new decade, then ‘What A Way To Go’ runs it a close second, being a slice of ebullient undulating rock with a another booming gospel infused chorus and a big solo.
He’s also unafraid to tackle an MOR ballad like ‘Rain’, on which his vocal perfectly nuances the metaphorical lyrics, while a subtle thinner guitar tone (which could almost be a keyboard) evokes the title of ‘Let The River Run’.
He continues to innovate deep into the set by fattening the sound again with Josiah J. Manning’s layered organ and some potent bv’s on ‘Not Fading’, before book-ending the album with the southern influenced ‘Pride Is Forever’.
Kris Barras is that rare thing, an artist who stamps his own DNA on an album full of different styles and influences. He’s a passionate performer, a thoughtful songwriter and a ripping guitarist and all the elements combine splendidly here on a top class album. ****
Review by Pete Feenstra
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
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 2 March 2025.
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 on 4 March 2025
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 7 April 2025
SEVEN BLOOD To The Unknown (indie)
FROM FALL TO SPRING Incomplete (Arising Empire)
POP EVIL Side Effects (MNRK Heavy)
ERJA LYYTINEN Abyss (Tuohi Records)
SKY VALLEY MISTRESS Too Many Ghosts (New Heavy Sounds)
RED GIANT Free Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 7 April 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
