Lukas Nelson And Promise Of The Real - Turn Off The News Build A Garden
Review by; Tuesday
Promise Of The Real are an American country rock group based in California featuring:
Lukas Nelson (Lead vocals, guitar)
Anthony LoGerfo (drums, percussion, vocals)
Corey McCormick (bass guitar, vocals)
Logan Metz (Keyboards, Lapsteel, guitar, harmonica, vocals)
Tato Melgar (percussion)
Additional musicians:
Willie Nelson tracks 6,7
Micah Nelson tracks 1,3,7,8,11
Neil Young track 12
Sheryl Crow track 2
John Algia tracks 1,2,3,6
Hunter Elizabeth tracks 1, 4,10
Lincoln Mendell track 1
Jamie Hartman track 1,6
Jesse Siebenberg tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9,10,11, 12,13
Madison Ryann Ward track 3
Scarlett Burke track 3
Kesha track 4
Margo Price track 5
Dave Palmer track 6
Randy Houser track 6
Lucious track 6
Shooter Jennings track 6
Producer: John Alagia, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the real
Executive producer: Scooter Weintraub
Mix: Billy Centenaro
Engineers: Ben Rice, Alex Williams, Billy Cetenaro, Pedro Calloni and John Alagia
Recording: Shangri-La Studios, The Village studios and Henhouse Studios Assistants Matt Dyson, Branko Presley and Rob Bisel.
Tape operator: Bill Lane
Mastering: Brad Blackwood at Euphoric Masters Memphis, TN.
Turn Off The News Build A Garden is the new album from Lukas Nelson And Promise Of The Real. This is their fifth studio album as a band in their own right but they've also got some live stuff and an EP out as well. They're Neil Young's current touring band of choice and have released plenty of recorded works with him too.
Everything about this album is exquisite and thoughtfully considered. The title, the cover design, the lyrics the musicianship, all of it is a work of great authentic beauty. We've had this album less than a week and already believe it to be one of the greatest works of 2019 with the staying power to last. The garden seemed the best place to review these gorgeous tracks, so taking inspiration from the album's title that's where we headed and here's our run down. If you don't fall in love with Lukas' sweet as candy vocals and start fantasizing about owning a banjo then you'll be in the minority!
Bad Case: This is a song that will get in your head and stay there for weeks, but you'll want it there! It has great pace and a catchy chorus. If that's not enough there's a lovely satisfying cackle on the line. 'You might be clever [cackle] but you're tied up in your words'.
Turn Off The News (Build A Garden): This song has wisdom. It opens with a beautiful guitar sound before the ocean of wonderful lyrics that flow. 'Hatred is a symptom of the times lost in these uneducated blues'
'Turn Off The News And Build A Garden just my neighbourhood and me, we might feel a bit less hardened we might feel a bit more free'
It just creates a beautiful image and the vocals are extra countrified on this track adding to the sweetness of the vibe. Guest vocals from Sheryl Crow are an added bonus. If Lukas and the boys don't have a small army of volunteers to help garden with tools at the ready after this beautiful number and the sweetness of his voice we'll be very surprised!
Where Does Love Go: There's a bit of a 60's feel to the opening la la la's. The bands lovely sound continues, they really work well together. There's fine guitar accents and decorations that really enhance this track. Lukas still has a sweetness in his voice, melting hearts as he welcomely croons 'Where does love go?'. The songs formation is perfect and the timing of everything falls just right. Beautiful imagery is a theme on this album and this track is full of it.
Save A Little Heartache: is a lovely little tune with brilliant guitar soloing, thoughtful drums and an infectious bass. Once again pretty lyrics dance around this fine band's efforts.
Lotta Fun: This correctly titled Lotta Fun is a lotta fun for your ears. It has a wonderful country laid back summery vibe. 'I'm proud of me for what I done but I'm just another human living off the sun.' It showcases beautiful lap steel and banjo work. 'you get a lotta lovin' when you have a lotta fun'.
Civilised Hell: The blend of vocals from Willie Nelson and Lukas Nelson works wonderfully on this catchy pretty tune. Despite the dark undertones to some of the lyrics it still has a summery chilled vibe with a sing a long factor. It's a scorcher of a track and easily a single.
Mystery: Lovely guitar and a beautiful bass open the track before breaking into some different but equally lovely sounds. The recording, mix and production are exquisite throughout the whole album, but on this track they're particularly splendid.
Simple Life: Simple Life is wonderful, it's easily the greatest song you've heard this year. Absolute magic! It has sublime tones and rhythm and satisfying solos that kiss your soul and a beat that just sways you - 'come live the simple life' - yes please!!!
Out In LA: Cute lyrics tied around a plucky beat building into a full on rock out. This band can sway you with their beautiful rhythms, dance you with their grooving beats, romance you with their sweet talking lyrics and rock you with their full band sound. They've got a formula and boy does it work!
Something Real: We're loving the growl in the vocal delivery of Something real and the energy of the piece is something else!
Stars Made Of You: has a bit of a Cuban feel to the rhythm and beautiful imagery matched with equally lovely guitar wails.
Turn Off The News (Build A Garden) (Acoustic): Is a brilliant intimate reworking of the album title track featuring Neil Young on pump organ. Just incase we think they've gone too sweet with this acoustic version there's a naughty little swear in here - don't think we didn't notice!
Consider It Heaven: Beautiful guitar note rolls enrich this track throughout. It's one last kiss on your ears before the album finishes and it's a sublime end to an absolutely perfect album - 'consider it heaven'.