Sons of the East – Sons
The musical indulging here doesn’t exactly break new ground, but it does conveniently take some bright elements of past contemporary pop & parlay it into a modern, likeable & faithful musicality. The 12 memorable tunes are supported by a distinctive lead vocalist & tight backup singers with customary deep organ notes, swish of banjo & piano cascades through a business-as-usual variety of melodies. Yet, the instant attraction comes with their dynamic vocalizing. Sons of the East is a trio hawking their tunes since 2011 – pretty good. They have a solid foundation & sound that’s polished. Hailing from Sydney, Australia (I almost worked there for the Yoram Gross Studios, “Dot & the Kangaroo” & that gang). Sons balance their tunes & topics skillfully & differently than the standard Nashville drizzle.
Produced by Bry Jones Sons (Drops June 27/Metropolitan Groove Merchants/38:48) is their sophomore album, recorded in their own Brookvale Studio. Their varied vocals are instinctively good. A bit in a vintage Pure Prairie League, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, James Gang & Gram Parsons with the Flying Burrito Brothers unified vocal exhilaration mode. A suitable medium since not many bands today venture into that beautiful realm.
Some songs like “Pour The Wine” may sound too customary, California country in tradition. However, I think that just helps to accredit them as genuine interpreters of the beloved genre. “Recognise” (with an s) is a bit more of a rocker in a tried & true arrangement, almost stepping on Fleetwood Mac’s toes. But their playing is weightless, disciplined & balanced.
The band is made up of Nic Johnston (vocals/keyboards), Dan Wallage (guitar/banjo) & Jack Rollins (vocals/guitar). There are no decisive statements made in their showcase, but the ballads (“10 Days”) are played with sincerity & maturation. These aren’t saccharine-enriched pop tunes, but songs composed stylistically with a dreamy reminiscence in the lyrics on acoustic guitar & piano — that’s genuine.
“Time Will Tell” & “Hard To Tell” have almost an Arcade Fire/Mumford & Sons melodic flavor served up. Not as jaunty & challenging as The Pogues, but they play safe with banjo & harmonica. Good tune.
Their repertoire embodies all the qualities of a group with ideas that can carry them to their next album if they don’t get careless. They’re not as deep as Australia’s Midnight Oil, or as wild as Jimmy Barnes & Cold Chisel, but they’re a well-integrated trio, with good sound, well-tailored songs, & appealingly slick enough not to be too commercially mundane. Criticism? One: Their video for “Recognise” could’ve been a little more exciting & creative than a guy walking & walking & walking. The song deserved better. Put your thinking caps on.
Highlights – “Pour The Wine,” “Recognise,” “10 Days,” “Time Will Tell,” “Wish I Knew,” the excellent “Oh My My,” “Head Above Water,” & “Hard To Tell.”
Color image courtesy of the band’s website. CD @ https://www.sonsoftheeast.com/
