ROBERT JON & THE WRECK – Last Light On The Highway (2020)

While ROBERT JON & THE WRECK was formed din 2011 and released several albums, the group’s new 2020 opus ‘Last Light On The Highway‘ is or first approach to them. Well, what a great decision it was. This is melodic blues rock with a Southern touch, very easy to the ears.
Blues legend Joe Bonamassa has even been quoted as saying that they are “keeping the history of classic rock alive for newer generations”. High praise indeed and completely warranted.
The undoubted quality of their own musicianship and the high regard with which the band is held has seen them support many bands including Bonamassa himself, Rival Sons, Black Stone Cherry, and many many more.

The key here is that Robert Jon & The Wreck do a great job of making their music accessible without compromising.
This really is an album that shimmers and shines from start to finish, it is full of swagger and melody with every track built to get your hips swinging.
In fact from the opening guitar parts of “Oh Miss Carolina” you know immediately you are in for something special. The track sets the album up perfectly, with Robert Jon Burrison’s sweet soulful vocals, the rich tone in the guitars, beautifully crafted harmonies, amazing chorus and heavy southern rock riffs, making it a song that will live on for generations. The searing guitar solo is just so heart wrenching and full of emotion it just needs hearing over and over again.

“Can’t Stand It” features a catchy chorus and a cool guitar harmony, then “Tired of Drinking Alone” is a radio-friendly tune with a memorable and lifting chorus featuring tasteful slide guitar throughout.
“Do You Remember”, written about reflecting on the old days and looking back on the good times when you were young dumb and full of dreams, kicks in with an almost Thin Lizzy style guitar riff and Hammond organ that builds into a Southern blues rock taking your senses to the limit.

“This Time Around” is melodic, catchy and full of harmony, and leads superbly into “Don’t Let Me Go” which start off with a monstrous riff from Henry James. It’s a bombastic rocker that deals with the fears of being too invested in a relationship. There are hooks aplenty, big choruses, massive vocals and scintillating guitars throughout a track that proves these boys can rock whenever they want to.

The band definitely take some different directions on the album, too. “One Last Time” prominently features Steve Maggiora’s keys and is a song about reflection and living in the moment. The vocals soar, the guitar solo is finger sizzling hot and there right in front of you, in all its’ glory is a live epic.

As if that wasn’t enough to leave you gasping for air, it is followed up with “Gold”, a brutally honest ballad, built around heart breaking lyrics and a guitar part that weeps as it plays the heartrending accompaniment behind Roberts soul searching vocals. For me this song is a benchmark moment in the album.
I love a good power ballad and here we have something that in my opinion rivals those great 80s ballads from Bon Jovi. The guitar work by Henry James is exemplary and so reminiscent of Richie Sambora at his best and when you hear it alongside the piano at the end it creates the most perfect climax to a breathtaking number.

The album closes with the title track, which comes in two parts. “Part 1” is a stripped down, intimate performance, while “Part 2” turns into an epic jam, which will play out great in a live setting.

So far, 2020 has thrown up some great records and this is without any shadow of doubt going to be one of the best blues-rock albums I am going to have the pleasure of hearing this year.
It truly has everything, but most importantly, it’s music made with feeling and it really grips you, which for me, is what music should do.
‘Last Light on the Highway’ is filled with memorable hooks and will be in the conversation for blues-rock year end awards.
It’s a highly recommended album from start to finish.

01 – Oh miss Carolina
02 – Work it out
03 – Can’t stand it
04 – Tired of drinking alone
05 – Do you remember
06 – This time around
07 – Don’t let me go
08 – One last time
09 – Gold
10 – Last light on the highway, pt. 1
11 – Last light on the highway, pt. 2

Robert Jon Burrison – Lead Vocals and guitar
Andrew Espantman – Drums and background vocals
Steve Maggiora – Keyboards and background vocals
Henry James – Lead Guitar and background vocals
Warren Murrel – Bass

BUY IT
robertjonandthewreck.com/collections/music-1
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08639HJLR