By The Dark Queen
The first, and so far only, time I came across Buck & Evans was when they played the Steelhouse festival back in 2014. I remember being well impressed by their blues-rock style, and especially by the voice of Sally Ann Evans, who reminded me of my good friend Kaz Hawkins. Now, five years later, they eventually are releasing their debut album. What has taken them so long? I don’t know, but let’s find out if it has been worth the wait, shall we?
Opener ‘Slow Train’ takes us lazily down the track as we gently manoeuvre through the gentle chords and upbeat drums into the hypnotic guitar riffs. As an opening track, this one has you grooving through the intricate rhythm. ‘Change’ brings a subtle piano and beautiful vocals into the wholly underestimated love song, which is all about the fact that “I wouldn’t change you” : one thing I get annoyed with is when two people get together they want to change the other… this song sums up love for me. The vibrato in Sally Ann’s voice is so emotional and it really it tugs at your heart strings.
We bob along the ‘Sinking’ river into the ‘Common Ground’ which glides us effortlessly ‘Back To Yesterday’ with an easiness that slides us back into the story of life combined with turbulence and passion. We can dig down into a secret life where we can stay today only to find yesterday. “Wait for a minute I’ll tell you a story my friend” Sally Ann tells us as she seduces the listener into a comfort blanket, wraps you up and tells you’ll be OK.
‘Fix You’ wraps us in butterflies and rainbows: it’s soothing and comforting and a big hug all in one. We all try to hold in together only to lead to a ‘Trail Of Tears’, just like life. This album takes the listener through life’s trials and tribulataions with such experience. It is obvious that the band has so many stories to tell, and they are told beautifully, right down to the fact that there ‘Ain’t No Moonlight’ – or, indeed, ‘Sunrise’ to leads us when we’re ‘Going Home’.
This is an album full of emotion, soul and heartfelt music. Sally Ann’s voice is passionate and forceful, but also compassionate, just like many of the great female singers. It lifts you while you listen, but also makes you think. Personally, I loved it – and I am a hard-hearted bitch most of the time… but I enjoyed this rock ‘n’ rollercoaster.
- ‘Write A Better Day’ is released on Friday (15 November). You can get your copy HERE.
- All content © Über Rock. Not to be reproduced in part or in whole without the express written permission of Über Rock.