Quick plays: JEFFREY FOUCAULT, AMBERLY CHALBERG, DANIEL STEER

JEFFREY FOUCAULT Blood Brothers Blueblade Records [Release date 27,03.20]

No question, Americana is the new rock n roll.

And the opening number – ‘Dishes’ – on Jeffrey Foucault’s follow up to his critically acclaimed 2015 album Salt As Wolves – is as impressive as anything the genre has to offer: swooping pedal steel, aching vocals, sparse instrumentation, and some stunningly sympathetic and understated gospel style backing vocals.

But six albums in, two decades on the road, have seen Foucault – an American singer, songwriter, and producer from Wisconsin – traverse country, R&B, blues, rock n roll and folk.

Blood Brothers is essentially a modern country album. Yes, ‘War On The Radio’ has a jangling bar room country rock feel, but there’s little here that will likely appeal to your average Get Ready To ROCK! reader or listener. ***

Review by Pete Whalley

DANIEL STEER [Release date 31.01.20]

Having not long returned from Giants Of Rock, Minehead, and having seen perhaps more than our normal share of new/upcoming bands, the thing that struck us was the complete lack of originality on offer.

And having just listened to the new Steve Harley album, and been reminded of the ground breaking nature of The Psychomodo in 1974, it’s a sad reflection on the current state of rock that there seems to be little on offer that doesn’t consist of recycling.

With three albums under his belt as frontman for the Kerrang-endorsed rock band Reigning Days, Steer has toned down his hard rocker persona in favour of a new haircut and more of a boy band image to complement this 90s indie pop influenced solo endeavour.

The ‘sleeve’ tats might remain, but everything else has changed subtly. The same writing style is in evidence, but there’s more of a pop, radio friendly edge to proceedings. But listenable, and enjoyable as it is – sort of Michael Hutchence meets Robbie Williams – it is very much in the vogue of a stream of indie bands that hit the scene in the 90′s but never left much by way of a lasting mark.

That said, his songs have racked up several million streams on Spotify, and Radio 1/BBC Introducing are championing his cause, which just goes to show that it’s probably me that’s ‘out of time’. ***

Review by Pete Whalley

AMBERLY CHALBERG Hi-Line [Release date 20.03.20]

The debut album from Denver based singer songwriter Amberly Chalberg is one steeped in the country traditions of the likes of Emmylou Harris.

But in an era where there’s more new Americana releases each week than there are cornflakes in a box of Kelloggs, something more is needed than a decent vocal style, tapping up the rhythm section of Merle Haggard and Lucinda Williams, and recording live to tape on all-analogue gear.

Exploring indie/alt folk territory, Hi-Line is aimed at fans of Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlisle, Jason Isbell and the likes. And while it’s unquestionably accomplished, does it cut any fresh ground? Are there any unforgettable tunes? Or any potentially cross over material? Sadly, not to these ageing ears.

As we’ll continue to say here at GRTR! you can’t put a price on a well penned song. And while Hi-Line’s are perfectly acceptable, as are Aldi’s own brand cornflakes, let’s not pretend we’re looking at a new market leader. **1/2

Review by Pete Whalley

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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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)