Rival Sons – Great Western Valkyrie (2014) Album Review
Rival Sons: The Best Rock Band of the 2010s?
Is Rock ‘n’ Roll dead? Of course not, and it never will be, regardless of genre or categorization. Rival Sons are one of the brightest examples of preserving and continuing what is known as the Rock ‘n’ Roll legacy. If someone like Jimmy Page mentions you in superlatives in the press, and Steven Tyler himself sits in on your rehearsal, then the covers of prestigious music magazines and performances at the world’s biggest festivals aren’t really the ultimate measure of your value.
These guys from California are more than legitimate successors to the best of what the local music scene has ever offered. Not only that, but Rival Sons are currently the biggest global rock ‘n’ roll attraction. Their unique sound, image, and musical philosophy can be placed within the realms of rock, blues, and soul, but they are far from being just a “retro” band, which is a common mistake. Retro is a forbidden word in this text, and in the future, as well, because the music these guys create is anything but retrograde. It could be said that it contains the past, the present, and the future. On the other hand, Rival Sons aren’t a band that “reinvented the wheel,” which may be a counter-argument to all of this. Nevertheless, the way they combine the new and the old is their strongest characteristic, along with their undoubted great musical talent.
In addition, the group is also known for its unique image and visual performance, which is one of the essential prerequisites for musical success (an often overlooked aspect on our side of the world). The band members somehow stand out from the standard rock clichés, and their spiritual way of life is just another interesting feature that sets them apart from many other bands of today. What’s also interesting is that Rival Sons are not the first stop in the careers of the band’s members. For guitarist Scott Holiday (the guy with the mustache in the picture), this is his third attempt to break into the music scene after years of playing and failures with his original band, HumanLab. After that, Holiday formed a new group called Black Summer Crush with current Rival Sons drummer Michael Miley and bassist Robin Everhart, who was also an original member of Rival Sons. In 2013, Everhart was replaced by Dave Beste, who is the band’s regular bassist today.
Meanwhile, this project also failed, and Scott Holiday found himself at a crossroads once again. At that point, drummer Michael Miley suggested his long-time friend and colleague from various musical projects, the phenomenal singer Jay Buchanan. This happened in 2009 and is considered the start of Rival Sons’ career. The world got not only an outstanding new band but also a new rock ‘n’ roll duo, Holiday and Buchanan, who immediately clicked musically and creatively and have since formed the core of the band, much like many rock ‘n’ roll giants (the guitar-vocal relationship). Holiday’s smooth, bluesy guitar style and Buchanan’s almost “acrobatic soul rock” vocals would become Rival Sons’ trademark, along with the unmistakable rhythm section and occasional presence of keyboards and organs. That same year, under the name Rival Sons, these guys released their debut album Before The Fire, which mostly consisted of songs from Holiday’s failed attempt with Black Summer Crush. After a turbulent start, Rival Sons released two more phenomenal albums, Pressure and Time in 2011 and Head Down in 2012, which immediately launched them into the global music scene and garnered significant media attention. Their career was on a constant rise and reached its peak in 2014, the year they released their fourth album, Great Western Valkyrie, which is considered by many to be their best work to date.
Great Western Valkyrie (2014, Earache Records)
As already mentioned, Great Western Valkyrie is the band’s fourth release, which saw the light of day this summer, specifically in June. In short, the album is a true masterpiece. It could even be considered an epic achievement by these guys, who have managed to bring something fresh to the tired music scene of today. This Californian band, under the production of Dave Cobb and led by the “rebellious” duo Holiday-Buchanan, sounds better than ever on this album. The album is filled with unique guitar tones, distinctive vocals, subtlety, unexpected twists, melodies, moderation, but also a good dose of sharpness and grit.
The song Electric Man, which opens the album, starts with a heavy “fuzzy” riff that is further enhanced by the keyboards played by Ikey Owens. The riffs and rhythm section are so strong and brutal that they immediately capture the listener, but at the same time, the production is measured, giving Jay Buchanan space to showcase his vocal abilities. “Take you to the sugar shack” resonates from the deepest parts of his soul and transitions into a fierce chorus that repeats constantly. It’s hard to imagine a better opening track. In the second track, Good Luck, another groove riff from Holiday drives through somewhat psychedelic verses before turning into a chorus that Buchanan paints with the best colors of his “vocal palette.” In the following track, Secret, Buchanan tries to reveal some secrets in a somewhat Plant-esque style, with a furious rhythm section adding the necessary intensity to the song. The important role of the keyboards and organ in this song should also be noted, providing excellent support, along with the smooth, understated guitar solos. Next, Play The Fool exudes a cheerful “oo-oo” chorus, placing the song in a state of levitation between the bold electric riffs of Holiday and Buchanan’s slightly softer vocals. Now, if you haven’t already marked your favorite song on this album, get ready for Good Things, a slower, bluesy track perfect for a chill-out, with the words “Enjoy it right now, because you never know when it’s gonna end.” These words are absolutely fitting! The song is neither a ballad nor a rocker, but it simply has an incredible vibe that immediately captivates.
Track six, Open My Eyes, is certainly one of the best songs on the album, with heavy and powerful fuzz riffs, solos, and melodies. There’s also the unmistakable “Bonham-esque” drumming by Michael Miley. When Buchanan repeats the word “Somebody,” it feels like we’re witnessing the creation of one of the ultimate rock anthems. This song was the first to be turned into a music video and became a major hit. Rich and Poor, the following track, is a true masterpiece in the style of The Doors. It feels as if Morrison’s shamanic spirit has fully possessed Buchanan, or perhaps it’s the influence of The Doors, who dominated these spaces 45 years ago. Either way, the “Ray Manzarek” keyboards only enhance the experience, as do the unmatched guitar parts from Scott Holiday. So simple, yet so powerful! Track eight, Belle Star, encompasses all the musical variations that this band is capable of delivering. The drums and bass guitar trade off with gentle, fluid pre-choruses and calm, almost lullaby-like chorus sections. The intro to this song is strikingly reminiscent of Led Zeppelin’s Achilles Last Stand. However, it’s just the intro. Everything else is pure Rival Sons trademark! The penultimate track, Where I’ve Been, is the first true ballad, which provides a sense of calm and relaxation after everything that has come before it. The final song, Destination On Course, lacks only one thing: it’s the end of this phenomenal release. But no worries, there’s always the trusty “repeat” button!
In conclusion, it can be said with certainty that this album represents the best work by this Californian quartet so far. Unlike previous releases, which can all be rated highly, Great Western Valkyrie represents the culmination of everything Rival Sons have achieved in their career. Rarely does any song fall below standard, and the production is top-notch, which has greatly contributed to placing Rival Sons at the top of the global rock scene. However, this is probably not the last we’ll hear from them, as they are a band of musicians in their prime. If everything continues as it has so far, we can confidently look forward to their next release, but until then, there’s always the good old “repeat” button, and just “repeat”!
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