ZapTown

[Review Written by Danielle Look]

The Lonely H
Concrete Class
The Control Group
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Dubbed as a “classic rock outfit”, the picture that the term paints is accurate, yet incomplete. With vocal howls akin to Steven Tyler, sky-high energy levels (think “Born 2 B Wild” by Steppenwolf), and Skynyrd-inspired southern flavor, these boys can jam just as hard as the veterans they are so often compared to.

But what’s beyond those familiar-feeling songs (“Jersey Girl” conjures “Take It Easy” by The Eagles) is what makes this album — their third in three years — so exceptional.

As a whole, the album flirts with country-rock every two or three songs, but remains uncategorized by including the progressive-sounding and piano-heavy closer “Strike a Chord”, as well as saxophone-saturated “Diggin’ A Hole” into the mix.

“Singer” hints at stylistic muse in modern songwriter Ray LaMontagne and introduces folky instrumentals from the steel guitar and mandolin.

“The River” strips away studio enhancement to bestow a raw presentation of the entire band’s vocal capabilities. Driven by a single acoustic guitar, characterized by beautiful 4-part harmony, and ostensibly influenced by the gospel, the song feels as if it were extracted from fibers of the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack.

While they all sparkle, the star that shines the brightest is the third stop on the album, “White Horse Tears.” The song is slower, with an element of wild-west nostalgia. Lead vocalist Mark Fredson basks in the vocal spotlight as he pays homage to Robert Plant’s perfected wailings. The guitar and piano play off each other as Fredson asserts, “I can’t help but wonder, how they harness all that thunder?”

Concrete Class, in all its eclectic glory, is an easy listen. It offers comforting familiarity sprinkled with an abundance of pleasant genre-crossing surprises, effectively appealing to fans of classic and country rock, folk, bluegrass, and acoustic music.

The Lonely H