A musical concoction of the country Americana tastings of Nashville and Alabama, some sweet Mississippi blues, a dash of dirty New Orleans jazz, salted with that Southern soul; Break, Rattle and Roll showcases raw intensity, deep passion and impeccable musicianship from Matt Joe Gow.
From his debut album, ‘The Messenger’, in 2009 to a seven year hiatus, then re-emerging with his rightfully titled follow-up album, ‘Seven’, Gow is back to remind us that music is his calling.
The initial two bars of opening track ‘Bridge Over Concrete’ had me worried that he had traded his signature button-down shirts and bandanas for Silverchair’s ‘Pop Songs For Us Rejects’ but that theory was squashed by the soul-bearing choir, chirpy keys and waves of wailing southern guitar, the precedent of the 12 track album.
‘Ride On’, ‘Gamblin’ Man’ and ‘Love Sick Child’ get the foot stomping while ‘Details’, the title track and ‘We Get Lost’ are slowed down and stripped back showcasing a vulnerable side of Gow. ‘Old Hotel Room’ is the standout track with its eerie, goosebump-worthy silences between bars, haunting Johnny Cash vocals and two chord acoustic progression.
Break, Rattle and Roll is best served with a bottle of Tennessee whiskey.
3.5/5 Stars
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Reviewed by Tammy Walters