Atlanta’s Blackberry Smoke has overwhelmed fans with their down-to-earth mix of country, bluegrass and driving rock. The band’s organic feel drags you deep into the heart of the Southern Rock scene.
Blackberry Smoke is steadily evolving, placing Southern Rock at the top of the food-chain. The band has given the genre’s heavy-hitters a run for their money. ZZ Top, Billy Gibbons, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Marshall Tucker Band have all toured alongside Blackberry Smoke. Not only has the band toured with these Southern Rock giants, but also Blackberry Smoke has grown a close and lasting relationship with many of these bands who have influenced them.
Blackberry Smoke was requested to perform at Country legend George Jones’ 80th birthday party, which led to Jones’ guest appearance on the band’s sophomore album, Little Piece of Dixie (2009). Furthermore, their third effort The Whippoorwill (2012) gained praise from Zac Brown. Blackberry Smoke has been featured in EA Sports’ NASCAR 08 videogame (“Up In Smoke”), as well as the 2008 film Swing Vote (“Good Thing Comin’ On”).
Everyone from The Washington Post to The London Times has had something to say about Blackberry Smoke. The band has played upwards of 250 gigs each year, a road tested sound that is even more powerful on their fourth studio album, Holding All The Roses, set to be released February 10 (available for pre-order on CD and Vinyl on the band’s website). Until then, Holding All The Roses is currently available to be streamed on Pandora Premieres, with a personal message from guitarist and vocalist Charlie Starr.
The album’s first track, “Let Me Help You (Find the Door),” is gritty and driving, reinforced with soulful organ and shakers. As each track progresses, the album plunges deeper into the heart of Blackberry Smoke. With the click of a mouse, I have already pre-ordered the album on vinyl, and plan to add a digital download to the list, but there are still so many questions. How am I going to get to their gig at Webster Hall in New York City on March 28th? Who am I going to take with me? Train tickets or car-pool? I’m hooked!
“Holding All the Roses,” the album’s feature track, is undeniably the most telling in defining Blackberry Smoke. Nothing can prepare you for the rock arena chorus that injects Blackberry-adrenaline through your veins. The band gives you a few bars breath of mellow guitar before blasting back into the chorus and screaming guitar duels.
Other tracks, such as “Living in the Song” and “Rock and Roll Again” are reminiscent of a Lynyrd Skynyrd influence. By mid-album the song steers away from driving Southern Rock and transcends into a soothing rock. Although I wish Blackberry Smoke made every song as hard hitting as “Holding All the Roses,” there are big rock ballads like “Woman in the Moon” and “No Way Back To Eden” that add a unique sentiment to Blackberry Smoke.
Holding All The Roses is road-tested, fan-approved. With diverse offerings that showcase the band’s Southern charm, expect big things from Blackberry Smoke in 2015.