OUTLAWS & MOONSHINE – Devil In The Moonshine (2017)
Southern Rock is not the leading musical genre of this blog, but “Devil In The Moonshine“, the full length debut album from OUTLAWS & MOONSHINE certainly deserve more than a listen, presented in exclusive at 0dayrox.
With songs titled ‘Hey Y’All’, ‘Whiskey’ or ‘Redneck Me’, one would think this is a band that comes from a part of the U.S. where flying the Confederate flag is still noncontroversial. However, OUTLAWS & MOONSHINE’s home is Indianapolis, more famous for the Indy 500 auto race than Southern Rock.
But make no mistake – wherever these five good ol’ boys get their Southern Rock roots from, those roots are deep and authentic.
And better than that, they fuse into the songs a strong rocking vibe as well, where BLACKFOOT-like riffs coexist with Zakk Wylde’s PRIDE & GLORY and the edgier sounds of LYNYRD SKYNYRD.
This 10-song record boasts a kick that is just as strong as the most potent mason jar of moonshine. That is evidenced in part through the album’s collective musical arrangements, and the lyrical content which is just as important to its whole.
The record’s sequencing brings those aforementioned elements together, solidifying the final result.
Right from the album’s outset, audiences get a work in the album’s title track that mixes classic influences with a quite original modern approach. The end result of that solid southern rock recipe is an infectious arrangement that is certain to become a favorite among audiences both on record and in live settings.
‘(Here Comes) Bobby’, the album’s second offering, slightly changes things with its driving, acoustic rock arrangement. It’s a slow-grooving ballad of sorts, but even here the band shows nerve, with the slide guitar bumped up.
‘Don’t Be Scared’ follows a similar melodic motif, but with heavy riffs, a thick bottom end, and a catchy chorus.
I really like the twang riffage of ‘Ride or Die’, a heavy rocker with a slow grooving pace, then filled with some crafty fret work. This track brings to mind classic late Seventies American arena rock, something like BLACKFOOT updated 2017.
‘Whiskey’ is the most overtly ‘southern’ track on offer, opening up with some gritty riffage and a nice harmony lead, and featuring some pleasingly gravelly lead vox from Beau Van, but even here the band don’t go for broke with the axe attack, preferring instead to keep things concise and accessible.
Then ‘Boom’ is a full-blown, made-for-video, Southern rocker to sing-a-long with while you drain the kegger in the backyard next to the rusted out Ford F-150. It’s an inspired and fun Southern country hard rocker, and OUTLAWS & MOONSHINE show they can easily become master craftsmen of the genre.
‘Redneck Me’ is a lighters-in-the-air ballad with a classic rock bluesy backbone, but closing track ‘Different Kind of Man’ gets things back on the rebel track with a slow-building, acoustic led epic which features another nice electrifying solo.
OUTLAWS & MOONSHINE’s debut album “Devil In The Moonshine” is a very good slice of modern driving Southern that is certain to appeal to classic rock fans of all types and ages. That is due in no small part to the diversity presented in the songs’ musical arrangements, boasting a variety of energies and influences.
Also, what I really liked here is the polished, punchy and absolutely massive production job from Vic Rivera (TED POLEY, ADRIANGALE), who has done a, dare I say it, champagne job on what was doubtless more of a beer budget.
Grab a cold beer (or a good bourbon) crank it up, and enjoy.
You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox
01 – The Devil in the Moonshine
02 – (Here Comes) Bobby
03 – Don’t Be Scared
04 – Ride or Die
05 – Boom
06 – Cootie Brown
07 – Whiskey
08 – Hey Y’all
09 – Redneck Me
10 – Different Kind of Man
Beau Van – vocals, guitars
Chris Van – bass
Mike Back – guitars, vocals
Travis K – guitar, keyboards
Eric Piper – drums
BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Devil-Moonshine-Outlaws/dp/B07612DB22
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