Worshipping At The Altar Of Rock & Roll

People say that rock and roll is dead. They say that it died years ago. Well, my friends I am here to proclaim on high that the spirit of rock has risen and has returned to save our souls. Local middle Tennessee rockers Flat Rock Revival have recorded their debut album, Before They Pulled The Plug…, to be released on July 18 and I have procured from the god of the Stratocasters an advanced copy. After multitudes of plays it would only take a mortal sin to pry this album from my hands.

The boys of Flat Rock led by lyricist, lead vocalist and drummer Matt Bridges have created a piece of musical genius that is swimming in the ointment of their many influences who have carried the torch for rock before them. From rock legends Cream, The Allman Brothers, Jethro Tull, and Pink Floyd to country superstars Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson to more recent artists like Metallica, Widespread Panic and Drive-By Truckers, not to mention a little R&B flavor, you catch it all in their music. Flat Rock manage, however, to meld all of these sounds and all of these genres together in order to create a rock sound that is new and fresh and all their own.

From the opening track (“Another Shot“) where lead guitarist Ronnie White calls on the spirits of guitarists past, to the haunting, preacher-like howl of Bridges‘ vocal on “Me? Robot?” where other guitarist Chris Bodily leaves his mark, they will have you on your knees in praise. From the slowed down, country-gospel feels (“Leaving Gailwood Street“) where the melodic bass guitar, played by Ben Bridges on the album to be handled seemlessly going forward by Will Day, is their backbone to the deep, thought-provoking lyrics (“Cocaine Cowgirl“, “Temporary“) that bring you on a mind blowing introspective into the search for the meaning of life and life’s excesses.

In the album’s liner notes the band states, “…we hope this recording shines a light on some of our perceptions and realities.” This first of hopefully many more recordings to come from these boys out of Tennessee definitely does more than shine a light, it blinds with its intensity and heaviness and burns brightly with its honesty and angelic elegance.

The boys have been able to capture their heavy, raw sound that is live performance and translate it perfectly into their studio sonance. This sound is one that should be experienced for yourself. I implore you to get saved by rock and roll and pick up a copy of this album when the boys have their CD release extravaganza in downtown Nashville at Windows Off The Cumberland July 18, 2008 or visit them at their website: http://www.myspace.com/flatrockrevivalcom to order your copy for a sinfully low price and hear some of the tracks for yourself.

In a world with weak, wimpy music that tempts your love of song, Flat Rock Revival is doing exactly as their name states. They are reviving and resurrecting good music and vying to be your rock and roll saviour.

Counting My Blessings: Week 2

Here I go with the second part of my series in which I was challenged by blogger Blessed1 from Daily Blessings. You can read part one by clicking here.

Today I feel like talking about my parents. Yep, no surprises with this one right? My parents taught me a lot in my 34 years on the planet. I can’t say that I listened to every lesson as I should have but they generally came back to haunt me later. Moms and Pops taught me the value of a family. When I was younger, as recently as 5-6 years ago, I never understood how great it was to have people to surround you that loved you for who you were regardless of the things that person did.

Through my formative years I learned to trust my family unconditionally to protect and care for me. I was taught the value of hard work even though I hated to do any of it. I learned the true value of a dollar and how to save it and how not to be frivolous. I learned when to share and how to teach a lesson to others. Ninety percent of all that I am has come from my parents. There was a time that I tried to forget about the lessons but they never stopped teaching them. For that I am blessed.

Be sure to go visit Daily Blessing by clicking above. You can assist me in “winning” her contest that she is running and like myself will find yourself smiling at the wonderful blessings that have been bestowed my someone living life like it should be lived.