Heed the warning – “listen at your own risk – beware of electrical shock.”
Release Date: 10th May 2023
Label: Rattle Shake Records
Format: LP / CD / digital
While Bruce Springsteen might extol the merits of the pink cadillac (plush velvet seats, ridin’ in the back, cruisin’ down the streets etc), it’s Tyler Bryant’s pink Stratocaster that’s to the fore in the moving and shaking that goes on with The Shakedown.
Joined by Caleb Crosby on the drums and Graham Whitford on guitar, Electrified is an apt title for the latest set. “Sonic snapshots of who we are right now,” Tyler calls the new songs, adding “ I think this is potentially our most ‘authentically us’ sounding album.”
With what sounds much like the chug of a steam loco prepping its departure, Between The Lines squeals into focus. Beating out a fierce message with a commited and driving pulse, there’s an interesting segue into the Gospel vibe of Crossfire. The traditional devil / angel on either shoulder dichotomy of not knowing which way to turn is given a slow and menacing delivery and our hero “caught in the craaaws fiyarrr.” The Blues Rock needs no reinvention but gets a passionate reading from Tyler and the boys, the slide guitar closing of the latter begging to take off into a extended workout as surely it will in a live setting.
Snake Oil is awesome – the opening riffing and heavy chug reminiscent of classic AC/DC in the electric Bon Scott 70s era. Proper Rock and Roll pumping out, perfect fare for cruisin’ with the top down. As is Shake It Down – does what it says on the tin at breakneck pace, guitar soling without indulgence. Having referenced the pumping power of AC/DC, there’s a hint of the might of the magus Page in the explosive lead break here. Quite a contrast to the low key “one card left to play” hopeless romanticism on Trick Up My Sleeve that shifts gear into a rolling cowboy crescendo.
Larkin Poe (Bryant is married to LP’s Rebecca Lovell) guest on One And Lonely, so perhaps no surprise that it’s a heartfelt love ballad while Ruthie Foster comes to play on the distinctly swampy blues that also benefits from the lo fi rustic arrangement and again a hint of Gospel and calling on the spirits. Yes, there may even be a little Prince influence in the attitude that oozes from the pairing of Dead To Rights and Mona, but Electrified is summed up by Carefree Easy Rollin’ – the chorus is all Californian cool, Eagles gone heavy! Listen out for the “hey one more time” call for the opening riff; the live in the studio feel reinforcing the whole philosophy of Eelectrified and The Shakedown in general. There’s no room for the downtrodden – got no woman…etc – in the Bryant rock and blues.
Here’s Snake Oil:
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