Review By Darren McIntyre
The Commoners were a 4 piece roots rock outfit from Toronto, Canada, the boys began their journey into the world of music around a decade ago listening to bands like The Black Crowes, Derek Trucks, Marcus King & The Allman Brothers. The boys are a real force of nature with their deep blues filled riffs and powering vocals that really set them apart from the rest, they decided to bring in ‘in his own words ‘the most important member of the band’- Miles Evans – Branagh to fill the void that the Hammond style keys brings to this outfit. The boys have been busy touring and writing inbetween their busy schedule and they give us their stunning new album Restless which I will be reviewing for you today, please ready yourselves as I walk us through this fantastic new offering from these boys from Toronto, Canada.
Devil Teasin Me – Boom and were off, this is a real southern slice of rock n roll with a huge slab of blues thrown in for good measure let me tell you. We have gravelly blues vocals that let this incredible track open up and give us their heart and soul on a plate, we have sludgy bluesy guitar riffs that are wrapped perfectly in killer basslines that drop epic funk grooves all over this foot stomping beast of a track. The rhythm section is giving us pounding snare drum kicks that come armed with bass punches to really take this track to another level for sure, the whole arrangement is testament to these boys and what they bring to the table with epic keys that really let this track fly and then some. We are punching the air with joy as the boys have picked up where they left off when they left Glasgow with a huge smiles on their faces and hearts filled with so much joy.
Shake You Off – A crunching sludgy guitar riff erupts as this thundering rock n roll juggernaut brings the groove to this fantastic new offering which is just bubbling under the surface. The rhythm section is commanding the room as the boys let themselves go and bring us a real rock n roll bruiser that is ticking all the boxes for sure, the dark, brooding bassline is handing us a real soulful groove that just mixes well with this fast paced monster track that just follows a thread that the boys have created. The rasping vocals are just building and building as this eruption is destroying everything in it’s path as the thundering beats destroy everything in it’s path, the crunching riffs are running freely with maximum damage coming at us as this incredible new offering just tells us that these boys are the real deal as we have awesome keys that just wrap themselves around this epic composition as the added bonus of melodic backing vocals really delivers this crunching beast that just keeps building and building.
The Way I Am – Kicking in the doors from the off comes a sizzling Hammond style keys that are wrapped in a power drenched rhythm section that allows this track the room it needs to grow. The soaring blues rocker vocals really bring the heat as the boys pick up where they left off with a real foot stomping, blues laden rock n roll track that just ticks all the boxes with it’s gritty groove laden beat that is just phenomenal. The boys are firing on all cylinders for sure as this soulful blues laden beast just takes us way back to the first time we saw these boys and thought how good are this unit. The crunching snare drum punches let the rhythm section drive this juggernaut onwards as the soulful keys instantly puts us at ease for sure, the 5 piece is just getting better and better with their foot stomping, fist pumping groove that just wants to make you get up and shake your booty and then some.
Restless – Acoustic strumming chords make themselves known as this country filled blues rocker comes at us with a real soulful vocal that just instantly puts us at ease. The slick crisp musicianship is oozing quality as the boys kick it up a notch with this real sludgy groove filled rocker track that really lets us know what these boys are all about, we have a full on bassline wrapping itself around this epic arrangement that is sending out all the right notes as we have a punchy rhythm section that is handing us solid snare drum beats that really let this track breathe. The slick, clean guitar licks are delivering a well thought out melodic rumbling that just takes us to another place as we feel the epic vocals of Chris as he powers through this killer number with ease as the boys bring us a real country , blues affair that just ticks all the boxes.
Gone Without Warning – A slick clean bluesy guitar lick comes at us at a rate of noughts as this foot stomping rock n roll juggernaut crashes right into us. The killer rhythm section is commanding the room with a punchy snare drum beat that has deep bass kicks that let this rocking blues eruption tell it like it is, the fast paced fist pumping track brings us soulful vocals that really take this track to another level as the boys return to normal service with this fantastic Hammond tinges blues affair as we let the groove wrap itself around us as a slick, clean guitar lick oozes towards us as the boys just kick in the doors and bring us a rasping, foot stomping, groove laden monster track that wets or appetites for their impending return to the UK later this year.
Who Are You – A crunching guitar riff kicks in the doors as the sweet keys deliver a mellow tone that really lets this track tell it’s own story as the boys move through the gears and let this album open and soar. The funking bassline is just incredible as the whole track is wrapped around these phenomenal grooves, the rhythm section is unleashing a cool cymbal / snare drum combo that just lets the tone shimmer through this fist pumping, toe tapping rock n roll monster. The vocals are building and building as we feel the rasping tones flow effortlessly through this absolute monster track that instantly grabs your attention as the funkalicious keys make themselves known to us as Miles throws down the gauntlet and really brings the funk to this delicious groove laden number.
Body & Soul – The rhythm section is up first as we get a real deep punchy bass drum beat that brings in a solid snare drum kick that really gives this track depth. The funking bassline is once again delivering a cool groove that is letting this track deliver a real punch that is just incredible, the rasping guitar riffs are soaring through this killer arrangement as the boys just give it their all in this rocking ballad that is just off the scale good. The vocals are solid and really add depth to this incredible track that just comes at us in waves as the cool groove is kicking in the doors as Adam lets rip with a real solid beat that is the beating heart of this incredible band, we are getting the best of this phenomenal 5 piece from Toronto, Canada as they just shift through the gears and bring us a slick guitar solo that just delivers big time as we feel the depth, energy and swagger oozing from this epic piece of music.
See You Again – The track unfolds with sweet, melodic acoustic strumming chords that set the scene as we feel the emotion pouring from this highly personal piece of music. Chris comes in and delivers a real soulful, gravelly blues infused vocal tone that just allows this track to breathe, the rhythm section is hitting us with solid snare drum beats that lets the cool Hammond style keys tell their own story as they instantly lift this track to another level with their soulful blues feel that just gives us goosebumps. The boys are back and firing on all cylinders with this epic composition that brings a real deep country, blues eruption that just flows effortlessly through this fantastic track, the backing vocals are incredible as Chantal, Nicki & Sandra really leave their mark on this personal piece of music.
Too Soon To Know You – Kicking it up a notch comes this blues laden rocker track that lets the tone loose with incredible keys that just settle us into our stride for sure. The rasping guitar licks are opening this track up as the boys rally round and give it to us straight with no forgiveness as we feel the bassline drop in and hit us with epic grooves that wrap themselves around this oozing monster, the vocals are just raising the roof with their depth, tone and downright gritty velvet notes that allow this track to take us on the journey with the boys as we really get into this snare driven beast that brings in a solid bass kick that really lets this track soar. The boys are on fire as they really cut loose and let their musicianship drive this juggernaut right through us with it’s intense blues filled rock n roll themed tracks that just get better and better.
All That We Have – Acoustic chords let this track come to life as we feel the blues style vocals take this track off down the road as the boys finish this colossal album with a bang. The thought provoking number really grabs your attention as we feel the emotion oozing from Chris as he really puts his heart and soul into this number, the track is just a real mellow number that is a real cool way to finish this monster album as it has a little of everything that is sure to please everyone when they get this epic album in their ears. We have been treated to something special let me tell you as the boys have given us everything and then some.
The Commoners –
Chris Medhurst – Lead Vocals / Rhythm Guitar
Ross Hayes Citrullo – Lead Guitar
Ben Spiller – Bass
Miles Evans – Branagh – Keys
Adam Cannon – Drums / Percussion / BV
Track Listing –
Devil Teasin Me
Shake You Off
The Way I Am
Restless
Gone Without Warning
Who Are You
Body & Soul
See You Again
Too Soon To Know You
All That We Have
+ There are no comments
Add yours