I can't believe nobody has said anything about the new Blackberry Smoke CD. I think it's great. Best record of 2015 IMO. Charlie Starr and the boys really hit it out of the park. Every tune on there is decent with several great tracks. Rocking from start to finish with great guitars, vocals and lyrics. I'm glad somebody is still proudly flying the Southern Rock banner. Sure you can pick out influences, but it's rolled up in their own definitely unique style. If you like this type of music, you'll love this record and band. They deserve all the kudos they get. FYI.
I got it the day it was released. Been a big BBS fan for several years now and was really looking forward to this album. It is a good album but I liked Whipporwill better. HOTR seems overproduced, a little to clean so to speak. Believe it was produced by Brandon O'Brien.
Can't wait to see them live again, boys put on a great show.
I didn't like Brendan O'Brien's production on Holding All The Roses. He gave them too much shine and greatly changed the vocal sound. The Whippoorwill songs had more dirt on them.
In interest of full disclosure I'm not a big fan of the band, but have given them a listen over the years because I have friends who really like them. I just thought upon a listen to the new album that they made a couple of minor changes that set them back.
Hmmm ... not quite the reaction I'd hoped ... anyway ... as far as the production on HATR (Hmmm ... just noticed the anagram. Message from the band?) I would agree that the production on the cd may be a little in the modern compressed earbud style popular today where you can see the layers of the song, but not feel them. And this is more prevalent on the rockers. I'd love to hear the guitar louder more in your face; however, maybe market research says the majority of the listening public doesn't. Also the band/mgt./record co. hopes that they can have at least one song on the radio to follow the surprise success of "Ain't A Lot Left Of Me." The production doesn't hinder the sound of and actually enhances the acoustic numbers - the absolute stellar track, "No Way Back To Eden" and "I Ain't Got The Blues Anymore" found on the Best Buy version.
As documented in the recent HTN article, Charlie said they didn't want to make The Whipporwill II. They didn't. Frankly they made a much better record IMO because of the strength of the songs. Charlie (as well as the Band) has grown musically as a writer/singer/player and it shows. The lyrics and arrangements are great. Much better than Whipporwill. Did I mention the acoustic numbers? Charlie's acoustic fingerpicking skill puts him o par with say ... Patrick Simmonds. I'd urge those who aren't blown away give it another listen. I feel it will grow on you. It has me. And those who like Southern Rock by all means pick this one up. I wish them mucho success. They deserve it.
it took a bit to get into the new one as it did with the last they did' nt rock as much but i think the song writing is deeper like"eden or women in the moon" plus adding keybords gives them more color all good
