Southern rock is a strange old beast—much like thrash metal. You know exactly what you’re getting, but resisting its pull is nearly impossible. That’s exactly the case with The Georgia Thunderbolts’ debut album *Rise Above It All*. It’s warm and welcoming, like your favourite song. Sure, you’ve heard it before, but that doesn’t make it any less fun.
You know this, if you know them. Their 2021 debut saw me write: “If ever there was a band that subscribed to the idea that making music wasn’t just a nice idea but instead an absolute necessity, then it’s this one.” Maybe it’s because of the tough slog to get here. They’d paid their dues.
Now things are different and you can hear the glee as “Rise Above It All” kicks off with “Gonna Shine,” a track so infectious it feels like an old friend greeting you. But the real ace in the pack is “Rock N Roll Record.” This track pays homage to an often overlooked truth: Bad Company rule. It’s a refreshing nod to rock history that many bands neglect.
The title track opens with a riff that could make Rival Sons proud, while “Moonlight Play” slows things down beautifully, showcasing the band’s softer side. Their guitarists Logan Tolbert and Riley Couzzourt display real skill here, but it’s the collective effort of the band that puts them in rock’s Premier League. On the sassy “Ain’t Got No Money,” you can almost hear The Black Crowes’ Robinson brothers wondering why they didn’t think of this for *Happiness Bastards*.
While the Georgia roots are evident throughout, there’s a surprising touch of LA warmth on tracks like “Wait,” evoking comparisons to Robert Jon & The Wreck. Meanwhile, “Crawling My Way Back To You” delivers one of the most timeless and soulful ballads you’ll hear this year.
If you’ve been craving a rowdy, party anthem, “She’s Gonna Get It” steps in to fill that void. Imagine ZZ Top, but with a little more swagger and attitude—this track is all about all-night partying and indulgence, and it delivers in spades.
The bluesy groove of “Little Jim” adds a heavier vibe, teasing what the album could have been if they went full-on blues. This swampy, slide-guitar drenched energy carries over into “It Ain’t Easy,” a track that revels in its larger-than-life chorus.
The groove-driven “Stand Up” leans on its bassline, with verses that feel distinctly Zeppelin-esque. And then there’s “Whiskey Talkin’,” a track that makes it impossible not to mention Lynyrd Skynyrd—a force The Georgia Thunderbolts channel effortlessly.
The album closes with “Pricetag,” turning up the rock intensity one last time. “Can’t hold it in no more, I am about to explode,” sing T.J Lyle, before delivering the line: “You can’t put a pricetag on time.” It’s a fitting sentiment for a band clearly on the rise.
With *Rise Above It All*, The Georgia Thunderbolts cement themselves as one of Southern rock’s most exciting new voices. The album blends nostalgia with freshness, capturing the spirit of the genre while pushing it forward. If we borrow that word on “Pricetag” their time is now, and “Rise Above It All” is here to make sure everyone knows it.
Rating 9.5/10
