Just how this California act haven't yet reached superstardom yet is puzzling, but the buzz is still growing, thanks to a support slot on the current Black Sabbath tour and the release of their new album for Earache Records, Hollow Bones. With superb artwork courtesy of Martin Wittfooth, Hollow Bones is another sensational release from this '70s throwback outfit, a band who have absorbed '60s psychedelia, '70s hard rock & blues, and mixed it all up into a modern sound that is fresh and exciting. Comprised of vocalist Jay Buchanan, guitarist Scott Holiday, drummer Michael Miley, and bassist Dave Beste, Rival Sons have put together nine memorable songs here on Hollow Bones long on groove, classic riffs, and gargantuan vocals.
Buchanan just might be the best American male hard rock singer to come along in the last decade, and he's in fine form once again here on this new effort. Check him out belting through "Baby Boy" and "Thundering Voices" in classic Paul Rodgers fashion, and getting all funky on the uptempo, two part title track. Holiday lends his heavy riffs and blues rock solos to the meaty "Tied Up", and offers gentle chords alongside the heavier sections of the hard rock-meets-pop-meets-psychedelia of "Fade Out". Back to Buchanan again for a second, as he dials up vintage Steve Marriott on the old Humble Pie staple "Black Coffee", and gives a heartfelt performance on the blues/folk/country closing track "All That I Want".
From start to finish, there's not a bad track to be found on Hollow Bones, and though the album is a tad short at under 40-minutes long, with all killer and no filler, there's not anything to complain about. It all adds up to another example of just how great this band is as they work their way towards world domination. Rock 'n' roll doesn't get much better than this folks.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1) Hollow Bones Pt. 1
2) Tied Up
3) Thundering Voices
4) Baby Boy
5) Pretty Face
6) Fade Out
7) Black Coffee
8) Hollow Bones Pt. 2
9) All That I Want
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