This rock album pulls out all the stops; from ballad to jam, it has it all. There are plenty of good tracks to make a long drive seem cinematic. Taking cues from Ryan Adams and riffs off the epic stylings of J Mascis, Strand of Oaks blends it into what can only be described under Strand of Oaks. Hard Love brings back memories of high school and turning up the radio just to drown out the noise. “Hard Love” and “Radio Kids” bring back that memory especially with a “Luminol” style that grows and grows out of the track and into your head. The album as a whole seems like a great revision of Ryan Adam’s Rock n Roll. “On the Hill” reminds the listener of a heavy, patient-listening Joshua Tree days. Overall, the album seems to take the best parts of rock from the past decade and compile into one nice package. Well done, Strand of Oaks.
Recommended If You Like: Ryan Adams, Dinosaur Jr., Jay Bennette, Black Keys, U2, Toadies, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The National, Modest Mouse
Recommended Tracks: 1 (Hard Love), 4 (Salt Brothers), 5 (On the Hill), 8 (Rest of It)
Do Not Play: N/a
Written by TJ Duncan on 02/21/2017
