On The Banks Of The Tennessee
Self-Released, 2021
8/10
Listen to On The Banks Of The Tennessee
A Boise outfit who play a very muscular version of alt-country, Rider & Rolling Thunder don’t shy away from blues and southern rock, either, as each of the 7 songs here showcases agile guitar work and powerful vocals from front man Rider Soran.
“Main St Shuffle” starts the album with gritty guitars and thumping drums as the rugged country rock will indeed get your body shuffling to the firm melodies, and “Good Lovin’” follows with an energetic mashing of bar rock, classic rock’n’roll and the band’s rural influence that’s a big part of their formula.
The middle tracks are some of the best, and include the calmer, poetic Americana of the ballad “Eyes Like Diamonds”, while “Changin’” gets a little thicker and swirls with a bouncy, sometimes even grungy appeal that sounds just as great today and it would have in 1993.
Exiting the listen are “One Shot Man” and “Fire On The Mountain”, where the former flows with an anthemic quality amid a sturdy rock template, and the latter finishes with no shortage of bluesy ideas alongside a dynamic chemistry between the band.
Recorded at the former Muscle Shoals studio in Alabama, Rider & Rolling Thunder keep their tradition of well done rock sounds alive, as power chords, soaring solos, and diverse singing make this an exceptional debut.
Travels well with: Jefferson Berry & The UAC- Soon!; The Danberrys- Shine