Magna Carta's foray into Southern Rock and jam-band territory continues with the second release from Tishamingo on their Magnatude Records division. While 2005's Wear 'n' Tear drew comparisons to most of the Southern Rock legends of the last 30 years, The Point sees the band really developing their own identity, relying less on the usual cliches of the genre and just pumping out strong, melodic blues-rock.
Thick guitar riffs, swirling keyboards, and melodic vocals permeate songs like "Get On Back" and "Are We Rollin' ", the two party-hearty rockers that kick off this exciting CD. The guitar licks from Cameron Williams and Jess Franking have plenty of fire and emotion, and you'll find them using less slide on this release and delivering straight from the gut, stinging blues rock riffs and solos. Fans of Govt Mule and Grand Funk Railroad will love the muscular arrangments and sing along quality of "Chest Fever" (plus some tasty electric piano vamps), and "Travel On" is "tap you foot" Country/Southern Rock in grand Skynyrd style. There's also the blues shuffle of "This Time", the rumbling heavy rock of "Bad News" (with some practically lethal guitar work), and the surf-meets-rockabilly of "Devil's Love Song".
The Point sees this Georgia based band trying some new things, namely creating more song based material, and lessening up on the jamming a bit, which for those who loved the multitude of guitar mayhem on their previous release might come as a bit of a shock. There's still plenty of tasty fret burning to be found here, but don't expect the usual Southern Rock fireworks. For solid, melodic Southern flavored blues rock, these guys are among the leaders of the current scene, that's for sure.
Track Listing
1. Get On Back
2. Are We Rollin'
3. Chest Fever
4. Mitchell
5. Travel On
6. This Time
7. Bad News
8. Tennessee Mountain Angel
9. Hard Fall
10. Walkin' Shoes
11. Devil's Love Song
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
