Released on August 2, ‘Southern Soul Revival’ is the sophomore album from Athens Georgia outfit, Heart Of Pine. In their own inimitable “Southedelic rock” fashion, the nine track record has something for everyone – especially if you like your music to have a little bit of everything.
And that’s the essence of “Southedelic rock”. It’s not strictly blues, or country, it’s not even just rock or psychedelic. It’s a homogenous blend of all of them, and, when looked at from above, shouldn’t really work – but it DOES. It just does. It’s ambitious, but it’s glorious.
Founded in 2015 by Steven Bagwell and Travis Richardson, Heart of Pine They released their debut album, ‘Highly Flammable’, in 2019, ahead of their 2020 EP, ‘Southedelic’, which essentially served as a trademark for their musical style.
‘Southern Soul Revival’ starts out innocently enough with ‘Gone’ but swiftly takes it up a notch with ‘Hello Heartache’. There’s a bit of a Joe Cocker, John Mayall-esque element to their blues style; it’s not pure blues, but we didn’t expect it to be. Dare we say there’s even a touch of Janis Joplin to it – it’s straight out of the 60s but using contemporary elements.
New single, ‘Movin’ On’, is the 3rd track from the album, and straight out of the gate I’m hearing David Bowie, and Led Zeppelin (oh and yeah there’s Joe Cocker again). It’s beautiful and atmospheric, the backing vocals angelically mesmerising – soul stirring – while the guitar solos cut through this listener’s very soul. Did I say angelic? As if to cement this idea there’s a delightful church organ to bring the track to a close.
Track 5, ‘This Way’, takes us down a completely different pathway, with plenty of cowbell and loads of horns. It’s the perfect accompaniment to Bagwell’s raunchy vocals, which amble along, cowbells and horns sneaking in and adding to the ambience every now and again.
‘Southern Soul Revival’ is both delightful and enticing. Far from being the tricky second album, it’s brilliant, and sets Heart Of Pine firmly in the stars, where they belong.
‘Southern Soul Revival’ is out now, and you can get it on Bandcamp here. Check out the video for ‘Movin’ On’ below, and find out more about Heart Of Pine and their music online on their official website, Spotify, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
