Having first seen Kris Barras in the Globe supporting Stone Broken a few years ago, I was impressed by the style and talent of the former MMA cage fighter (but then I’m not likely to say otherwise really, given that last phrase!). His first three albums have rather set the scene for the genre he is going for – blues-based rock – which was readily demonstrated at the Black Stone Cherry gig in Caerphilly Castle and in Cardiff’s St Davids Hall last year.
Being a fan of BSC it was always going to be an easy option to review this latest offering from Kris and the band. With ‘My Parade’ being one of the highlights of that last set, along with ‘Who Needs Enemies’ and ‘Dead Horses’ then the rest of the album was going to get a fair hearing.
The latter track is the opener on the album, and if you’ve seen it live you know what you’re going to get: upbeat blues straight between your ears. The support of the band driving the track towards the solo in the breakdown keeps you on your toes. ‘Long Gone’ is even more deep delta blues sounding with the bass and drums carrying the track over the distorted guitar riff. Kris’s voice is getting grittier with each album and this track starts to demonstrate it. Next up is the anthemic ‘My Parade’, a balls-to-the-wall tell-it-like-it-is track… if you don’t like what I’m doing then go away (or words to that effect!).
‘These Voices’ has a bit more of an AOR style to it, although it is only just under four minutes. While the instrumentation is good, it is Kris’ voice that carries the track this time until the breakdown, when the guitar and bass kick it up. The whole album has a much heavier feel than the previous ones – although this is not a bad thing, as it will draw in other audiences.
‘Who Needs Enemies’ is a stomping rattle through the lyrical criticism of people who can be difficult to deal with when you are trying to achieve something, while ‘Devil You Know’ is a drum/bassline driven track that is OK but not a standout track. ‘Wake Me When It’s Over’ is the “ballad” on the album and with a riff played on a “shimverb” effect it has an echoic sound to the verses but gets picked up in the choruses: I must be getting soft in my old age, but I’m tending to prefer these types of tracks. There is a guitar solo in the breakdown that reminds me of Aerosmith, but I can’t think of which track.
‘Hostage’ will have you tapping your feet and nodding your head in accompaniment throughout the three minutes, and it will go down well with live audiences – but, then, so will all the others! Distorted basslines open up ‘Cigarettes And Gasoline’ and drive it throughout: it’s a really catchy riff. ‘Bury Me is similar in style to the rest of the album and some of his earlier stuff – but why wouldn’t it be? Another good solo arrives at the breakdown: his playing is getting better with each album. I really like this track
‘Chaos’ is the final track, and its back to bass/drum riffage for the opening and then hook of “kill the chaos” carries the chorus of the track to the separate instrumentation sections before a really bluesy guitar solo. It’s another good track.
Overall, it is a good album, and I will be in the front row in the Tramsheds in Cardiff for the third gig of the tour. Another one to add to my ever-growing collection of KB albums.
- ‘Death Valley Paradise’ is released on 4 March. You can get your copy HERE.
- Kris Barras Band tour in March:
www.facebook.com/krisbarrasband
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