Immediately I’m drawn into this modern-cowboy tale. Maybe it’s the cool, crisp whisper of wind underlying itself in the first track “Hills” or maybe it’s the chilling, hard-living vocals meshed with harder guitars in Jack The Radio’s Badlands. Either way, this is the album that Jon Bon Govi should have written for the Blaze of Glory soundtrack.
Speaking of “Hills” this track has a smokey start. The plumes of smoke and stirred up dirt seem to resonate throughout the chiseled guitar licks and pointed percussion. The song has a feeling like it’s about to kick your ass with a steel-toed boot.
“Wayfared Warriors” is a bit brighter, more subdued than “Hills.” The music bed flows alongside like a car mulls along the highway. The pop-like harmonies are finely coupled with charming lyrics and sunny guitar riffs.
“Wild West Woman” is a plunky-ditty. I love the chorus. This song has soul. As the 12-track Badlands rolls along, the difference in each song is felt. “Criminals” has a bit of a Jakob Dylan – Wallflowers feeling to it. I like the guest vocalist Elizabeth Hopkins’ presentation here. She’s a bit like Sheryl Crow, but way, way, way, less whiney. The song stitches together like a memory quilt, each thread woven tightly through percussion and melodic guitar.
“Bad Man” is a bit bull-fighter masquerading as a flip on an Imagine Dragons cut. The song lends itself ever-so-nicely to sing-a-long and triumphantly yearn for just one more stanza.
Other standouts include “The Runaway” and “Aint So Bad.” In general, though, all 12-tracks are independently shining stars. It’s just a killer collection.
