These Wicked Rivers – Eden
Album review by; Mark
Formed in 2014 These Wicked Rivers have brought out some cracking EP’s over the last 6 years, Eden is their debut album, and for this reviewer it is long overdue. Judging from the response to the band’s pre-orders I can’t be the only person looking forward to it. For a band who describe themselves as “just 3 blokes from the East Midlands and one from Coventry who are a bit hairy” they know how to write songs which hit all the right spots, musically and lyrically.
The album was recorded at Mwnci Studios in South Wales with Jethro Chaplin who has also worked with Bad Touch, Florence Black and Buffalo Summer and one look at the website for the studios show just what an amazing place this is. Part of the recording process involved the band making “a solid and powerful emotional bond with Steve, the studio cat”, and their pre-order package came complete with mug and tea bags – now those things really do sum up the essence of this band.
So what does Eden bring us?
The album opens with “Tea Leaves”, which is a quirky little number but so catchy. The band have used this as their entrance music at live gigs and it’s immediately apparent that you aren’t about to hear standard rock and roll fair about hard drinking and loose women. This is the sort of song I could easily see Sea Sick Steve performing.
Next we have “Shine On”, the first single released from the album and it’s a real rocker. There is real story telling in this song. The chorus evokes a gospel choir style response and it was no coincidence that the video for this song was filmed in a church. There are some great guitar hooks here and the lead in to Arran’s guitar solo and the solo itself are top notch stuff.
The third track on the album is “Hit The Ground” which starts with a drum beat and guitars which lead in to a foot stomping and head nodding rock track. If any song is going to get you moving and grooving then this is it. “I aint never been a winner” sings John, well this album proves you wrong.
The next song is one familiar to anyone who’s seen the band live over the last year and the second single released from the album, “Floyd”. This is a natural follow-on to “Shine on” and feels like part of a story that Arran (who penned the lyrics) is telling. This track was voted as Classic Rock Magazine’s Track of the Week in April and it’s obvious why. This is a rocking track and John’s vocals backed up by the other band members makes it such a powerful song. But no matter how many times I’ve heard this song I always add an extra “no more!” at the end whilst singing it.
“Evergreen” is the 3rd single from the album which the band have recently released a lyric video for. This is a faster and more upbeat track than some on the album but sits perfectly amongst all of them. In fact there isn’t one track on this album which feels out of place. Here Arran has free reign on the guitar solo which he certainly makes the most of.
The next track, “Money”, starts off with a catchy drum beat and launches into full power rock. It’s a deceptively simple song with nice changes of intensity and a chorus which is definitely earworm material. What caught my ear was just how well the guitar work on this song compliments the drum beat, where normally the mix is the other way around.
This leads us on to “This Train”, a slower number and one with characteristic These Wicked Rivers lyrics. This song isn’t designed to knock you off your feet, it’s one to get you thinking. It’s the longest track on the album but deserves every second.
The tempo is then raised again with “Count to Ten” which is not a song to play to your 80 year old granny unless she has anger management issues. More great guitar work and a chorus that I really look forward to singing along with at a gig.
“Ceasefire” starts with a throbbing bass beat which draws you in immediately. The lyrics are staple fair for the band and is another where the chorus is easily memorable and perfect for a fan sing-along. This song was written by Sam and it’s interesting to hear a song where the back line seems to be so prominent, although again Arran gets to showcase his great guitar work with a solo straight out of the rockers top drawer.
We then come to “The Garden” which starts with strong guitars. I didn’t find this song the easiest one to try to sing with in the car (who doesn’t sing in their car?) It’s not a song I will remember off the album but is a good track none the less and definitely not just filler, and that is the sign of a great album.
The penultimate song is “Won’t Be Broken “and this could easily be a follow on to “Put Me On Trial” from their second EP. A strong intro leads into more driving guitars and a laid back beat with a superb lead into the powerful chorus. These guys really do know how to craft the dynamic of a song.
The final track, “World In Chains” is definitely a song for the current world, whilst also having a timeless classic feel. “Riding shotgun with the devil as he’s fanning all the flames, there’s some angry little boys here getting lost in all their games, we're stuck here at the end now while they're playing who's to blame, spitting on the embers of this burning world, this world in chains”. Great lyrics and a wonderful guitar solo - this is what These Wicked Rivers do best, and probably better than anyone else in the emerging rock scene.
If you like your rock to focus on hard drinking, fast cars and loose women then this isn’t the album for you. The songs on Eden are well crafted and each word is finely chosen, with guitar work which portrays a deep level of feeling and emotion. This isn’t vapid simplistic rock and roll, this is music which means something and as a result is up there with the very best that the rock genre has to offer.
These Wicked Rivers are John Hartwell on vocals and guitar, Arran Day on guitar and vocals, Sam Williams on Bass and Dan Southall on drums and vocals. They all have a lot of hair, and under that hair are 4 superbly talented musicians.
5 out of 5 –
if you haven’t bought this album yet what are you waiting for?
Eden can be purchased from;
https://www.thesewickedrivers.com/products
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