Ida Mae – “Thunder Above You”
Sometimes, the lightning of inspiration hits creative-type people very suddenly. Many artists can capture and hold that immediate creative spark for a long time. That spark, however, often needs to be let loose right away – people call this phenomenon “lightning in a bottle.” Ida Mae, a singer/songwriter duo hailing from Nashville and London, has captured lightning in a bottle with their newest album, Thunder Above You. We got a chance to review this new album, and here’s what we think about it!
Ida Mae’s Background In Rock And Folk
For posterity, it’s worth noting the origins and inspirations that caused Ida Mae to form. The band has cited Free, Led Zeppelin, and British folk music as formative to their work. Furthermore, Ida Mae has toured with the likes of Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss, and Greta van Fleet, to name a few. In this way, you can note the demographics that Ida Mae caters to with their music.
Thunder Above You emanates a very specific poignance. Songs like “Into Your River” and “Feel The World Turning” are emotive and almost a bit distressed, in a way. Meanwhile, we feel the Zeppelin influences in the track “American Cars” and the intro to “Lost On Your Love.” It’s always nice to be able to identify the material that influences artists, and this isn’t lost on us, which in turn is a great thing.
Breakaway Tracks in Thunder Above You
Some of the tracks in Thunder Above You that we find to be standouts include the following:
- The first track in this album, “My Whispers Are Wildfire”, begins the album with a frenetic yet groovy energy. It is very reminiscent of the music of the mid-to-late 1960s and is not a track to overlook.
- Earlier, we mentioned “American Cars,” the third track in the album, as a track with some real Led Zeppelin vibes. It also wouldn’t feel out of place as a commercial track. It contains the heavy rock vibe that many advertisements have lately and would be a great fit for that sort of thing.
- The seventh track on Thunder Above You, “Wild Flying Dove,” also has the oh-so-vital guitar distortion that pervades the Folk-Rock genre. As a duet of sorts, this track also historically hearkens back to the 1960’s. In a manner, it reminds us of when Janis Joplin and Tom Jones first started working together. There is a great deal of such a collaboration here as well.
Our Verdict on Thunder Above You by Ida Mae
Ida Mae’s newest album is a solid one. Thunder Above You is an album that can’t be overstated. With slow, emotive tracks interspersed with some edgier, groovy ones, it is a powerhouse of an album. If you want to pick up a new album with older sensibilities this year, Thunder Above You ought to be the one you choose.