Edgehill
Avenue Rambler [album]
“Described
as ‘Rock ’n’
Roll with
a purpose’,
Rambler is a very creditable
offering from Edgehill Avenue — a band
that has come up through the ranks
via their acoustic roots to a more mature
and rock-orientated sound, drawn from
their rigorous live schedule over the
past two years...”
CATCHY AND CAPTIVATING, Rambler is laden with ten superb tracks that
give Edgehill Avenue the smart sound they have clearly worked hard to achieve,
and which conversely seems effortless.
Kicking off with the smouldering title track about abolitionist Frederick Douglass,
Rambler ends with the heart-wrenching tenth track Justified, that
deals with the tragic atrocity of genocide.
These guys are really something. Taking each track as a separate entity, the
result is an appealing treatment of southern rock, folk and country with a bluesy
mix that creates a buzzy, well-rounded album with a delightful sound.
Classic influences include top notch artistes such as The Black Crowes and Ryan
Adams; the Allman Brothers, Zeppelin and the Stones — a melting
pot of musical ability that, as the publicity machine expounds, "finds the band
utilising their musicianship to convey the energy and imagery that only solid
song-writing can produce. In the realm of all-country, southern rock and blues
this is a record that physically impacts you while resonating intellectually."
Edgehill Avenue's Rambler is an enjoyable album, exuding fullness and
poignancy with plenty to say and much to like, with great voices and the harmonies
to go with them — a purposeful album with a nod to tradition and
21st Century verve.
Stand-out tracks are: the delightful title song Rambler, a lovely and
upbeat With These Hands and the terrific country style I'll Be Leaving
You Now. Holding On and Justified are also highly memorable.
Produced by William Bartley and Nick Stevens at Downtown Studios, Rambler
is, as Louisville Music News notes: "A piping-hot stew of southern rock,
blues, folk and country, served up in generous portions, that kicks you in the
pants one song, then buys you a drink on the next… throughout the work we get
crisp, dead-on-target musicianship from the entire line-up!"
And talking of the line-up, there is Drew Perkins (lead vocals, guitar, primary
songwriter); 'Hurricane' Mike McLaughlin (lead guitar); John Poole (bass, backing
vocals); Lamont 'Phatbeat' Melson (Drums) and Paul Nevitt (organ, piano). Keep
up the good work, guys.
• Edgehill Avenue's Rambler is available
now (released 24 February, 2009).
Track Listing
1 Rambler | 2 With These Hands | 3 Just Another Day | 4
Don't Come Round Here Anymore | 5 I'll Be Leaving Now | 6 Just
Don't Care Anymore | 7 How You Really Feel | 8 Holding On
| 9 Out Of Time | 10 Justified | 11 Justified (Radio Edit).
"Edgehill Avenue's Rambler is an enjoyable album, exuding fullness and
poignancy with plenty to say and much to like, with great voices and the harmonies
to go with them — a purposeful album with a nod to tradition and
21st Century verve" — Maggie Woods, MotorBar
Check out departurerecords.com
and edgehillave.com.
