Parker Barrow – Hold The Mash – EP Review – noblepr

Review By Darren McIntyre

Parker Barrow are a blues-infused Southern rock outfit from Nashville, Tennessee, who came to our attention in 2023 with the release of their debut album, Jukebox Gypsies. The band take their name from Bonnie Parker & Clyde Barrow, who were the infamous bank robbers in the 1930s Great Depression. The band have been honing their live groove with support slots with Robert Jon & The Wreck, Them Dirty Roses, The Kentucky Headhunters, and Feel. The band have been hard at work in the studio and dropped the singles ‘Make It’ and ‘Novocaine’, which I reviewed for you recently. I am pleased to say I will now be bringing you the full EP. Please settle in, grab a cold one or two, and ready yourself to be shaken to your very core with this rocking outfit from Nashville as they give us the full treatment.

Make It – From the get-go we get a thundering snare drum salvo that lets this awesome slab of blues-infused rock ‘n’ roll breathe; the whole arrangement just pops as it kicks in the doors from the off. The soaring vocals are just incredible, as they add depth, swagger and attitude to this real sludgy, groove-laden beast as we get the full force of this killer outfit from Nashville. The cool, dark, brooding bassline is wrapping itself around this slick arrangement as we get soaring guitar licks coupled with a real in-your-face rhythm section that is commanding the groove from the back of the room. The whole composition is a shot in the arm that hits us with a real solid, punchy groove that is steeped in the Southern groove as Parker Barrow lets this juggernaut steamroll right through the middle of this sizzling blues-infused track that has sizzling vocals that are crisp, clean and have bags of attitude to let us know that this outfit are ones to watch for sure.

“Glass Eyes Crying” – A mellow, delicious bassline drops in and really lets the track breathe as cymbal crashes flow freely through the intro as Megan lets her vocals break free. The whole band are really giving it their all as they drop in with a solid snare drum punch that controls the tone of this Southern blues rock track that brings Hammond-style keys that just elevate the track somewhat. The groove is just incredible as we get carried away with the solid, soulful vocals that are crashing right through the middle of this blues-soaked, country-style explosion that is just ticking all the boxes. The arrangement lets you feel like you have just walked into a blues club and been hit by a juggernaut as the crisp, clean guitar licks rain down on us as the band just ups the ante with this glittering, melodic bruiser that just has you wanting more.

Novocaine – The track kicks off with a sweet, cool keys intro that is followed by a slick guitar pick that really gets the track bubbling under the surface for sure. The soaring blues-rock vocals shatter the air as this foot-stomping rocker just erupts into life as the full-on bassline wraps itself around us as we feel the gritty groove come at us. The rhythm section is bringing the heat with a thundering snare drum beat that lets the cymbal crashes rain down on us as we get up on our feet and feel the electricity oozing from this colossal Southern rock outfit. A slick, clean, sizzling solo shatters the air with its intensity, swagger and edgy riff tone that really makes this band stand out. The whole arrangement is a fresh, funky, infectious groove that catches your attention from the very first note and has its hooks into you and won’t let go. A sizzling follow-up to their first single, and I expect big things from this awesome band, as they are making all the right noises and really grabbing our attention.

Olivia Lane – Sweet acoustic tones ooze from the intro as Megan offloads her phenomenal vocals that really let the tone wrap itself around us as the funky low-end leans in and drops killer grooves all through the mellow opening. The tone is just awesome, as we get a softer side to this barnstorming rock ‘n’ roll outfit as they give us a thought-provoking EP that lets us know what this powering unit is all about; the soothing Hammond keys are littered throughout the track and really add depth and swagger to this soulful piece of music. The band are taking us one way and then the next as they show us just exactly who they are and what they are all about; the smouldering vocals are just insane as the track changes pace as the rocking rhythm section leans in and hits us with solid snare drum grooves that let this track tell its own story; the crisp riffs really elevate the track with their short, sharp bursts that let this track bring a whole new perspective to us.

The Healer – We return to our blues-infused roots with this slick, crisp groover that lets the Hammond keys rise and lets them lead the track off down the road. The shredding slide guitar licks really add depth to this foot-stomping bruiser as the groove builds and builds with little effort, as we just want more of this colossal outfit. The snare drum kicks work well with the track, as they add swagger and attitude to this epic arrangement that just tells us that Parker Barrow are here, and they are here to stay. The cool Hammond solo in the midsection is just putting a smile on my face as the band finishes off this awesome EP in style as we get everything thrown at us, including the kitchen sink, as they deliver a rousing, blues-soaked rock ‘n’ roll beast that has us reaching for the repeat button for sure

Parker Barrow –

Megan Kane – Lead Vocals

Alex Bender – Guitar

Will Tipton – Guitar

Bo Howard – Bass

Eric Safka – Keys

Dylan Turner – Drums

Track Listing –

Make It

Glass Eyes

Novocaine

Olivia Lane