Non Fiction
Liberation Hall, 2025
10/10
This 3rd album from The Blasters arrived in 1983 and brings R&B into their roots rock formula, where sax and keys enter the 11 tracks.
The rockabilly fueled “Red Rose” opens with Phil Alvin’s soaring voice alongside Bill Batemen’s thumping drums and Gene Taylor’s rowdy keys that will get you on the dance floor, and “Barefoot Rock” follows with John Bazz’s bouncy bass that suits Lee Allen’s bright tenor sax.
Landing in the middle, “It Must Be Love” showcases Dave Alvin’s melodic guitar amid the crisp rhythm section, while “Long White Cadillac”, which is dedicated to Hank Williams, moves quickly and with plenty of rhythm and soul.
“Leaving” and “Tag Along” exit the listen. The former is a dreamy moment that’s intimate and makes great use of Steve Berlin’s baritone sax, and the latter finishes with an animated spirit that will get you dancing immediately to the timeless roots rock fun.
An often raw and reflective effort that still has plenty of scrappiness, too, we also get brand new liner notes and band interviews written by Chris Morris with rare photos and memorabilia images in this reissue package of a classic album.
Travels well with: The Blasters- Mandatory: The Best Of The Blasters; The Blasters- The Complete Concert