Album review by Preshias Harris
Outlaw bluegrass with a gritty, bluesy edge
All music genres seem to have sub-genres that are either extensions of the main genre or a fusion of two different but similar genres (Think: Rockabilly, for example). The Steeldrivers are a band that straddles different genres, creating music that is unique and doesn’t fit easily into any category.
They have sometimes been described as “goth-grass,” a blending of bluegrass and goth-rock. Their music is certainly anchored in the traditions of bluegrass with the familiar sound of banjo and fiddle. At the same time, their music often taps into some of the darkest depths of human emotion, giving a gothic edge to the songs.
Now comes their latest album, Bad For You (Rounder Records), set for release on 07 February, 2020, their first album since 2015’s The Muscle Shoals Recordings that won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album.
New album, new vocalist
Together since 2005, The Steeldrivers are now on their third lead vocalist. Original vocalist Chris Stapleton left the group in 2010 and achieved a meteoric rise to fame as a solo artist (Traveller, “Tennessee Whiskey”) and was replaced by Gary Nichols who would also leave for a solo career. New band member Kelvin Damrell is arguably their best vocalist to date, bringing a grittier, more bluesy edge to the eleven new songs on their new album.
The title track opens with wistful banjo and fiddle before Damrell’s voice hits you high and hard, as if channeling vintage 1970’s Brian Johnson (AC/DC) transported to rural Kentucky. The lyrics have an older man warning a naïve younger girl that he’s bad for her… but maybe hoping she won’t listen…
If you know what’s good for you / you’ll step aside and let me roll on through / because I’m bad for you
The dark side of bartending
There’s more darkness in “The Bartender,” as the protagonist sees two sides to what he’s doing, serving people with a drinking problem. Is he helping them deal with their troubles or slowly killing them?
I wipe down the bar but I can’t wipe away his past / I just pour another shot of whiskey in his glass / some may call me a sinner but when it’s all said and done / I don’t pull the trigger I just load the gun
But it’s not all downers. There’s the bright and sunny uptempo love song, “I Choose You” and a fun country toe-tapper, “Glad I’m Gone,” to lighten the mood. In fact, “Glad I’m Gone” could easily be a Country chart hit for someone like Morgan Wollen or Luke Bryan with a slightly different arrangement! There’s even a feeling of optimism (sad optimism) in the difference between “Lonely and Being Alone,” a slow waltz, “passing the time ‘til He calls me home.”
Like all the best music should be, Bad For You does not fit easily into categories. It has the rootsy feel of Americana set in a bluegrass frame with the gritty dust of Outlaw Country fueled by the bluesy rocker vocals of Kelvin Damrell. Call it Goth-grass if you like. But listen to this new set from The Steeldrivers and you’ll call it damn good music.
Bad For You album credits
- Richard Bailey – banjo
- Kelvin Damrel – guitar, lead vocals
- Mike Fleming – bass, harmony vocals
- Tammy Rogers – fiddle, viola, octave violin, harmony vocals
- Brent Truitt – mandolin, octave mandolin, baritone guitar
- John Paul White – guest harmony vocals on “Innocent Man”
- Produced by The SteelDrivers
- “Innocent Man” Co-Produced by John Paul White
Music and more information at https://thesteeldrivers.com/
Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com