American rockers THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS will release their highly-anticipated sophomore album, ”Rise Above It All”, next August 23rd via Mascot Records. Featuring the quintet’s signature blend of Southern rock, blues, and heartfelt Americana, the 13-track album showcases the band’s ability to navigate a vast array of musical terrains, while also capturing the profound emotional and artistic growth fostered by their years on the road.
The road to being hailed as the new torchbearers of Southern rock hasn’t been as glamorous as you might imagine for The Georgia Thunderbolts. It wasn’t many years ago that the guys busked at gas stations, fumbled through covers, and drove four hours to Alabama to play to a bartender and a three-legged dog sitting on a barstool.
These days, however, the Rome, Georgia-based quintet is a critically acclaimed and internationally touring band fending off the sophomore slump with its latest release.
We were pleasantly surprised by THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS we we featured here their first Cd, and this new one confirms how good these guys are composing songs and manipulating melodies.
The opening track, the upbeat “Gonna Shine”, showcases the honeyed vocals of T. J. Lyle, with an infectious chorus laid on a backdrop of shimmering guitar. This is a significant statement of intent for what is to follow. Subdued piano alternates with a gritty riff for the forceful rock and roll record cataloguing band life in the studio and on the road.
Midway through the album two songs, the poignant “Wait” and “Crawling My Way Back To You” slow things down. The latter is a Stax infused soul number delivered with a passion indicative of a band that is coming of age.
Elsewhere the Southern Rock flame continues to burn brightly on the likes of “Stand Up”, with tenacious guitar riffs interspersed with rock-solid harmonies and the bar room blues of “Whiskey Talkin’” before closing off the album with a blistering “Pricetag.”
The quintet’s earthy and emotive aesthetic is based in singer-songwriter intimacy, the yearning of the blues, the mythological stories of country, and a bracing dose of arena-ready classic hard rock.
All the growth and maturation over the past two and half years can be heard on ”Rise Above It All”. The 13-song collection is a flag-planting album, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter as The Georgia Thunderbolts continue to rise and resonate with audiences worldwide.
A captivating collection of thirteen songs, that sees the band blossoming as a creative force while remaining true to their roots. Quality rock and roll by any standards.
Highly Recommended
Tracklist:
1. Gonna Shine (4:02)
2. Rock and Roll Record (4:19)
3. Rise Above It All (3:22)
4. Moonlight Play (4:06)
5. Ain't Got No Money (3:23)
6. Wait (3:35)
7. Crawling My Way Back To You (3:18)
8. She's Gonna Get It (2:44)
9. Little Jim (3:52)
10. It Ain't Easy (2:50)
11. Stand Up (3:53)
12. Whiskey Talkin' (3:29)
13. Price tag (3:50)
Line up:
Zach Everett - bass, classical guitar, harmony vocals
Bristol Perry - drums
Logan Tolbert - guitar
Riley Couzzourt - guitar
The Georgia Thunderbolts – Rise Above It All (2024)
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