Forever Worse Better
Self-Released, 2020
9/10
Listen to Forever Better Worse
Great Peacock return with a 3rd album of their rugged yet tuneful brand of Americana, where Andrew Nelson, Blount Floyd, and Frank Keith IV take their vast touring experience and plug it into a guitar fueled affair that’s all substance and no flash.
“All I Ever Do” starts the listen with warm Americana as Nelson’s strong vocals lead a very melodic and breezy setting, and “Heavy Load” follows with a calmer approach of sublime rootsy rock that mirrors the greatness achieved by legends like Jason Isbell.
Closer to the middle, “Dissatisfaction” moves swiftly with some tuneful grit amid the harmony friendly Americana as Steve Daly lends his slide guitar skills, while the title track recruits aching pedal steel into an emotive and expressive display of rustic beauty. “Rock Of Ages”, one of the record’s best, then carries a reflective spirit amid the classic rock nods as Sadler Vaden makes an appearance on lead guitar.
Near the end, “Help Me Lord” recruits strings and keys strategically in the powerful and elegant delivery, and “Learning To Say Goodbye” exits the listen gently with some folk ideas that help solidify Great Peacock’s diversity and highly proficient song craft.
Great Peacock reside in Nashville, and they carry on the tradition of their hometown while also keeping their options open with electric guitars, violin, saxophone and synth, too. The trio clearly work very well together as they weave in and out of extremely memorable textures on this first rate effort.
Travels well with: Sadler Vaden- Anybody Out There?; Carolina Story- Dandelion