Everyday Heroes  - A Tale Of Sin and Sorrow

Album review; Mark

 

I am a massive fan of the boys from Newport down in deepest south Wales, so couldn’t wait to hear their debut album. Their mix of hard rock, southern rock and blues hits a spot with me that many bands can’t reach, and seeing them at a gig is the highlight of any week. But as any music fan will know, being a big fan of a band because of their EP releases and live shows brings with it the trepidation that the sound you’ve come to know and love won’t translate into an album. So with this in mind I sat down, read the press release for the album and prepared myself for what was to come.

 

The press release for the album states that the themes for the album were inspired by Dan undertaking the Camino Pilgrimage in North Western Spain, a journey undertaken as a form of spiritual path or retreat for spiritual growth. And if any album ever wanted to portray a spiritual journey then this is it. Every song tells its own story, and yet they all combine to tell a tale that takes the listener on their own journey. The beauty of this is that each song stands on its own feet and so random shuffle of tracks does the listener no harm. But it’s only when the songs are heard in their proper order that you get the full majesty of the album – there are no unnecessary lyrics, no flamboyant guitar solos here, just good honest blues inspired rock at its very best.

 

The album kicks off with “Texas Red”,  with suitable southern guitar riff and rattlesnake sounds. Then the blues guitar kicks in and all trepidation disappears – this is Every Day Heroes through and through.

The second track, “Find My Way”, picks up the tempo with a heavy driving bass beat and an infectious chorus. This will get the crowds jumping and rocking when we can finally get back to seeing live shows again.  The first single from the album and third track is “Standing Stones”.  It starts with some faster guitar work and dives into another hard driving beat with an easy to follow chorus. Another destined to become a fan favourite.

The upbeat tempo is maintained by “The Witch’s King” which comes with a classic hard rock sound. The bass line in the middle of the track leads perfectly into the guitar solo, which is understated and perhaps a little too short. But that’s part of the beauty of this album: everything is measured and nothing is extravagant.

Next comes “Soul To Save” which anyone who has seen EDH live will recognise. Except this is an updated version from what I remember having heard live. The blues influence is still there but toned back and perhaps my one criticism of the album would be that this does lack that raw power of the older version.

Halfway through the album and we find “Victorious (Take My Chains)” – Luke’s classic blues rock guitar into leads the band into yet another   The backing vocals work superbly here to compliment Luke’s main vocals, with guitar work adding some superb highlights.  Next comes the second single from the album with “All Outta Faith”. This song harkens back to “The River” from “The Other Side of Nowhere” EP but with added influences including a Gospel like aspect of “ Do you Believe?” “Yes I believe”, without ever deviating far from its blues heritage.

 

At this point the album slows down with “The Crow”, a slower and dare I say it a more delicate song with lyrics which really hit home.  This is more a rock ballad rather than a blues ballad and the use of acoustic guitar elements perfectly offsets the vocals.  A deviation from past EDH songs and style perhaps, but one which demonstrates the flexibility of the band.

Having taken the slight breather with the last song we are back to hard hitting rock again with the perfectly names “Breathe Again”. This song leads on so well from The Crow both musically and in the sentiment of the lyrics which emphasizes the whole progression of the album...

The working title of the tenth track on the album was called Lost, but the name on the album is now West of Forever. Again echoing the journey theme this is a minor change but underlines the degree to which the band have thought about the smallest of details. Nothing on this album is Lost, everything is a progression. The end of this track features some Spanish trumpet and classic spaghetti western motif which finishes this upbeat rock song off superbly.  

And this leaves us with “Without A Throne”, echoing back to the lyrics of “Standing Stones “. This is a slower song than others on the album and one with which is perfect epilogue.  This song marks the end of the album but not the end of Red’s story.  Will we hear more of this story in the future? I really hope so.

This album doesn’t have the raw blues power of “The Other Side of Nowhere” but does come across as a more refined sound and one where every musical element and every  lyric feels considered and complimentary without ever sounding clinical or polished beyond all recognition. It’s not a battered old blues guitar but one with the patina from sweat and loving usage that only comes from musicians who know their craft and care for the music they’re making.

A masterful 4 out of 5 and hopefully launches these guys onto greater things.

“A Tale Of Sin and Sorrow” is due for release on 5th June 2020 – do your ears a favour and buy it.

Every Day Heroes are Luke Phillips on vocals and lead guitar, Jay Haines on drums and backing vocals, Daniel Richards on rhythm guitar and backing vocals and Lewis Watkins on bass and backing vocals.