Album review: TYLER BRYANT & THE SHAKEDOWN – Shake The Roots

Rattle Snake Records [Release date 09.09.22]

Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown have been around since 2008 releasing this, their fifth studio album, and also the first on the band’s own newly founded label. Joining Tyler Bryant are drummer Caleb Crosby, bassist Ryan Fitzgerald and guitarist Graham Whitford (son of Aerosmith’s Brad).

The album marks a change in sound for the band as they go down a straight ahead blues rock route for the most part, as opposed to their previous hard rocking offerings. As Tyler explains, “The whole concept of this record was to get back to our roots as a band and as individual musicians. We each got into music to have fun writing, recording and performing.”

‘Bare Bones’ starts the album as it means to go on featuring plenty of guitar, sparse rhythm and a tune that you’re singing along to even on the first listen. ‘Ain’t None Water Downed’ keeps that bluesy feel going with a great line, ‘I like my loving like a bar room fight’. One to play loud on the stereo.

‘Ghostrider’ reverts back to Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown’s harder rocking past. The guitar solo is heavier than a elephant’s backside with a bass that would shake a building. One of the (many) album highlights. ‘Off The Rails’ is similar in pace and heaviness. Another tasty hard rocking tune on a album that doesn’t have any weak songs.

On ‘Tennessee’ they pay homage to their hometown and remind us they do rock n roll there, not just country.

‘Roots’ goes down a treat with its southern rock feel – not disimilar to Robert Jon & the Wreck. ‘Hard Learned’ shows the mellower side being a plaintive song featuring Tyler’s soothing vocal and an acoustic guitar.

Foot stompin’, blues rockin’ tunes – just the way we like ‘em! ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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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)