Rival Sons
Feral Roots
Release Date: Jan 25, 2019
Genre(s): Pop/Rock
Record label: Atlantic
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Album Review: Feral Roots by Rival Sons
Very Good, Based on 3 Critics
Based on rating 8/10
Since debuting in 2009 with the self-released Before the Fire, Long Beach, California's Rival Sons have been on a tear, delivering a refreshingly unfussy blast of blues-blasted hard rock on an almost yearly basis. Working once again with producer Dave Cobb, Feral Roots, the band's sixth full-length effort, comes out of the gate swinging with the 40-grit "Do Your Worst," a radio-ready banger that evokes both Led Zeppelin and the Black Keys. The lusty "Sugar on the Bone" follows a similar trajectory, with Mike Miley's Valhallic drumming leading the charge, as does the greasy "Back in the Woods," the latter of which sets the narrative tone for the sea change that follows.
Based on rating B+
The Lowdown: Nearing the tenth anniversary of their debut album's release, Rival Sons offer their sixth studio album with Feral Roots. The tracks throughout Feral Roots show off the California band’s range in performing bluesy rock 'n’ roll; with high energy riffs and slow melancholy rhythms, the music offers a variety of emotional tones for listeners to absorb. In all its mood and style, Feral Roots exudes a delicious instrumental blend of rock.
Based on rating 6/10
California-based rockers Rival Sons offer up sixth studio album Feral Roots. With every album released, Rival Sons often aren't given the spotlight they deserve — assumedly because they appear to follow the same patterns with every album they deliver. That said, Feral Roots, just like their previous five albums, is a very good, well crafted album — it just doesn't offer any new surprises or diversity from past projects. "Back in the Woods" is clever, offering odd drum breakdowns and an interesting guitar solo, followed by "Look Away ….
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