EP review: TYLER BRYANT & THE SHAKEDOWN – Dirty Work

Facebook [Release date 24.03.23]

Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown’s ‘Shake The Roots’ album released last year was a real treat, mixing blues rock, southern rock, country and rock n roll to great effect. The EP features Tyler Bryant’s wife Rebecca Lovell (Larkin Poe) as a guest vocalist; Tyler recently co-produced Larkin Poe’s album ‘Blood Harmony’ in his Nashville studio.

Opening with the short instrumental ‘Strike’ allows Tyler Bryant to strut his stuff on the guitar, before the hard rocking ‘Burnin’ kicks in. A song that offers a positive lyrical message of persistence, despite obstacles — something that is the epitome of The Shakedown story. As drummer Caleb Crosby said in a recent interview, “We’ve had our music shelved by record companies. We’ve been stranded on highways trying to figure out how we were going to make shows. We’ve had times where we felt like we were banging our heads against the wall. But you keep your head down and keep going. It’s all part of the journey.”

The title track is complete opposite, a mellower affair featuring gentle guitar and Rebecca Lovell on backing vocals. ‘Sho Been Worse’ has a natty blues shuffle, complete with an instant chorus. Therein lies the strength of Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown, memorable tunes topped off with the impressive guitar playing of Tyler.

‘Thunder’ is a personal pick of the EP, a slow start before the storm, sorry, song kicks in. The sort of song the Answer or Robert Jon & the Wreck would love to have written I am sure. ‘Fire & Brimstone’ rounds the EP off with a nice ‘n’ easy bit of blues and the guitar is the star on the second part of this song.

Another rewarding and satisfying listen from Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown. More blues focussed than the ‘Shake The Roots’ album. They have plenty of good music in them and this EP just leaves you wanting more from them. Greedy I know but when artists are this good you can never get enough! ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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