Damian finds much to enjoy in a Nashville band’s new release
The Weeks comprises twin brothers Cyle Barnes (vocals) and Cain Barnes (drums), Sam Williams (guitar/vocals) and Damien Bone (bass). Formed when the guys were in high school in Jackson, Mississippi, the band self-released its debut EP Dog Days in 2006. More than ten years and a handful of critically acclaimed albums later, the band has relocated to Nashville and toured extensively worldwide with Kings of Leon, The Meat Puppets, North Mississippi Allstars, Local H and many more.
`Easy` is the follow up to last years online self release `Lost Days` containing previously recorded and unreleased tracks from 2006. `Easy` was recorded over the course of two weeks at Memphis’s Ardent Studios with producer Paul Ebersold.
`Talk Like That` opens up the album and it’s a high octave slice of really uplifting rock, well constructed, with some clever lyrics, a great track to introduce us to this release. A nice organ riff launches us into `Ike` a great soulful tune with Cyle`s vocals complimenting the wonderful balance of bass, organ and guitar with some horns thrown in for good measure. Cyle`s voice reminded me on Adam Duritz of The Counting Crows, the way he really owned this song.
A pounding bass, followed by some wonderful jangly guitar riffs and we are into `Start It Up` a no nonsense slab of rock. Almost four minutes of pure heaven.
`Hands On The Radio` is a real soulful love song reminiscing about an old long gone love interest. The song has it all, some great horns and wonderful organ. The sort of song that Southside Johnny would be proud to call his own.
A mid tempo rock out about someone who lived their life at a no holds barred pace follows with `Bottle Rocket` and I can see this being a real audience participation pleaser, made to sing and clap along to.
The anthemic `Gold Don’t Rust` moves us along nicely before `Sevens` a sort of rock long song to a lost relationship is aired. Cyle`s voice is at times almost heart wrenching and really get across the angst in the hurt from this broken romance.
`Blame` is a mantra challenging a particular person / friend to analyse themselves and take some responsibilities for their actions and behaviour played over a tight rock swagger allowing the powerhouse trio to really let loose.
`The One` is a ballad that starts with an acoustic guitar with Cyle`s yearning, aching, pleading vocals sharing thoughts on dealing with life, questioning why we are here and the big issues we have to front. The quiet acoustic section really highlights the wonderful Southern inflections in this guy’s breathtaking voice before the bass and drums join halfway through to flesh out the track. This is a song that is made for sharing with an audience illuminating an arena, holding up their lighters and mobile phones.
The penultimate track is a more straight forward in your face rock out with `Aint Dancin“, a tune to just sit back and let it take over you.
`Don’t Be Sad` wraps it all up with a slow rendition with Cyle singing over a keyboard backing. The song should be sad but the words shared are very uplifting and hopeful.
This is a cracker of an album, a mix of soul and Southern rock at its best. There are several immense compositions with some intelligent lyrics shared over some great musicianship. What more could you ask for. The title is apt.`Easy` is easily a record that will stay with me for a long, long time, magnificent.
Rating 8.5 /10
