From the heart of
Dixie, mixing southern rock, garage, country, soul and gospel in some
righteous ragged songs.
There are certain
record labels you can trust, such as Alive Natural Sounds. They've
been releasing consistently good music for the best part of twenty
years, usually by bands that make gritty yet accessible rock that has
one foot in the past, yet also manages to point a way forward. They
also have a good take on how to release them. As well as CD and
digital formats they also do limited bespoke runs of coloured vinyl
for most of their releases.
The latest band to get
their break courtesy of Alive Natural Sound is Lee Bains III &
The Glory Fires with their debut album There Is A Bomb In Gilead.
(The title comes from Bains mishearing a hymn as a child, mistaking
the word balm for bomb). Though there's nothing particularly new or
ground breaking about this album, the mix of southern rock, garage,
country, soul and gospel makes for an infectious brew. Sung and
played with infectious fervour. It's not a million miles away from
the music made by their old touring buddies Alabama Shakes.
The band's music is
firmly rooted in the deep south, Bains having formed the band in
Birmingham, Alabama, returning there after a spell at college in New
York. After a few listens to the album, Bains' knack for storytelling
and scene setting begins to shine through. Unlike a lot of more
famous song writers he has something to say and he says it well, with
a skilful turn of phrase. You get the impression he's one of life's
good guys, like a more punky Bruce Springsteen. Take a listen to
Righteous Ragged Songs and you'll see what I mean. “Say a prayer
for punk rock and a prayer for me” sings Bains. With pleasure sir,
'tis done.
Click here for Lee
Bains III & The Glory Fires' website.
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