| Musical Style: Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2024 | Artist Website: Hard Road |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 41:08 |
Incorporating classic rock, blues, Southern rock and hard rock, the November of 2024 independently released debut full length Change The World from Nashville, Tennessee based Hard Road exudes the attributes distinguishable to seventies styled hard music. The group traces to 2020 when founded as a ‘jam band’ by lead guitarist Bo Fawbush, drummer Chris Haines and bassist Chris Dickens. Later rounding out its lineup with vocalist Kris Robbie and vocalist and guitarist Paul Norfleet, Hard Road put in place its mission to ‘(share) our love and faith in Jesus Christ’ and ‘to shine the Light of Truth into this dark world with songs that will get your feet to tapping while encouraging and convicting you’ (quoting its press material).
Musically, Hard Road ‘put all of (its) influences into a blender and came out with a sound reminiscent of 70s bands like Lynryd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Grand Funk Railroad, and a hint of Pink Floyd’ (again, the groups press material). With repeat listen to Change The World, I might add to the list Sign Of Jonah, Glenn Kaiser Band, Stevie & The Saints and Dickens’ band Big Chris & D'Bare Bones Band.
Opener “Overcomer” shines in this regard with a Southern flair divulging the imperative goods: symmetrical guitar harmonies, seasonably melodic bass and vocals of a soulful and mid-ranged variety. Of equal import is manner in which during its bridge song exuberantly exclaims ‘I am strong in the Lord and the power of His might’. Only thing I might add is I would like to have seen the refrain backing vocals more deeply layered. Lyric snippet:
I’m praising God for everything He’s done for me
Thank you, Lord, for eternal life!
He has reduced me from the hands of the enemy
And I’m gonna praise His holy name
He who the Son sets free is free indeed
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty
God has given me life abundantly
He supplies everything I need!
“Give Tuesday A Try” ensues as a mirthful classic rocker with a boogie flair. Guitar makes a prominent statement, crunching to the point of borderline Rez Band style hard rock, while Dickens’ bass reciprocates with a frolicsome feel. A resolved if not enterprising stance rises to the surface accordingly.
Third cut “Power” is a melody drenched blues rocker of which Hard Road flourishes. It brings a moody essence fans of Glenn Kaiser Band will identify - laid back and reserved but heartfelt all the same - with complementary rousing vocals and all the affecting bluesy guitar licks and chops you could ask. The Fawbush and Norfleet guitar team shine in this capacity. That said it would be interesting if refrain had been bolstered by Gospel style female backing vocals (in similar fashion as Stevie & The Saints sophomore album Eye On The Prize from 1990). Lyric snippet:
If you’re desperate… feeling all alone
There’s a place… I know that you can go
You can find cleansing… and healing for your soul
You might be hurting… struggling in your pain
Searching for some answers… trying to make a change
In need of direction… looking for a better way
There is power… wonder working power
In the precious… blood of the Lamb!
Romans 7 inspired “I’m Such A Fool” is lone Change The World cover, having first appeared on Dickens’ 2023 Mission Of One album Kill The Cobra. It proves well suited for the Hard Road sound with a bluesy meets classic rock aptitude in which a no frills and straightforward demeanor aligns with subtly understated hooks. Artists raspy and middle register vocals are equally fitting.
Signature track “Hard Road” is one of albums finest. Song revels in mid-tempo classic rock interspersed with Southern distinctions, awash in a pull you in at once melody but also drawing upon an emotional basis derivative to the blues. Haines’ timekeeping helps establish the unhesitating low-end foundation. Lyric snippet:
Do yourself a favor: be joyful in your labor
Feel it right down in your soul
Don’t be downhearted; just get the party started
Feast and be happy and full
Lord, there ain’t no better thing under the sun
To help me carry the load
Everything together is a gift from God
Even this long walk down a hard road!
It’s a long walk down a hard road!
Upon first seeing the title “J For Jesus” I anticipated a basic and simple child-like rocker. Nothing could be further from the truth in what we rather have is a dead serious heavy rocking cut with an exuberant underpinning - the Hard Road Southern influences again rear their head - aligned with subtle worship rock qualities, noting the reverent refrain: ‘give me a J for Jesus; give me a T for thank the Lord’. I particularly take to the ZZ Top inspired instrumental run bursting of combusting lead guitar.
“Love Love Love” reinforces melody on high. It takes a semi-ballad form, gentle and kind with its relaxing tones but equally moving found in smoother vocal vestiges further emboldening the radio friendly refrain to oversee. I detect some eighties melodic rock meets AOR attributes to go alongside the Hard Road signatures bluesy proclivities. Lyric snippet:
Deeper than the ocean blue- it’s what can see us through
More than we can understand
It is what we’re looking for- the key that opens our heart’s door
Perfect rhythm perfect rhyme
Simply undeniable- altogether wonderful
There is nothing that compares
It’s best seen at the cross where Jesus died for all of us
Yes, that is love
With cowbell to start, “Light Of The Lord” grounds upon blues based hard rock as one of albums heaviest. Rhythm guitar delivers a decisive edge, as do the bluesy leads with the adamant mid-tempo momentum and unfaltering vocals aligning with the certain disposition. Yet, the group does not forsake hooks, revealed from manner in which song entices with duplicate play.
Albums title track follows as another forthright melody driven blues based piece. Grainy slide guitar rules the songs five minutes alongside a shuffling bottom heavy presence, with the equally gutsy mid-paced impetus speaking of an impactful if not stirring form. “Change The World” would sound at home on any Glenn Kaiser Band album. Lyric snippet:
Everywhere I go I see darkness all around
Hopelessness and confusion seem to abound
But there's a light that's shining getting brighter everyday B
The Church Of God is moving it's taking it's place
The good news has the power-- no need to be ashamed
It will change lives and nations if we dare proclaim
Let's reap a mighty harvest time to take the land
The Lord our God is calling GO at His command
Likewise closing track “Shaken”. It defines as a plush acoustic rocker, exuding another tangible blues saddled melody in plodding its five minutes to a trudging low end (added melodic bass makes its presence felt) and scalding lead guitar in abundance. Alongside “Change The World”, you could not end an album in stronger fashion.
If a fan of classic rock, blues, hard rock and Southern rock you can do no wrong with Hard Road debut full length Change The World. Plenty of adept melody driven songwriting - Hard Road proves adept at writing a REAL good song - in line with the genres at hand command albums length. Equal credit to the earthy mid-ranged vocals (Robbie and Norfleet own a similar raspy, mid-ranged style that can be difficult to differentiate) and touching guitar work and rhythm section to match. That said production complements the albums seventies influenced form but in my opinion would benefit from a slight dose of polish. Regardless, if Change The World is any indicator of the Hard Road potential, I avidly look forward to any follow up release.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Overcomer” (4:37), “Give Tuesday A Try” (3:29), “Power” (4:31), “Hard Road” (4:25), “J For Jesus” (4:12), “Love Love Love” (3:48),”Light Of The Lord” (3:50), “Change The World” (5:14), “Shaken” (5:12)
Musicians
Kris Robbie - Lead Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
Paul Norfleet - Lead Vocals, Rhythm & Lead guitar
Bo Fawbush - Lead guitar
Chris Dickens - Bass & Lead Vocals
Chris Haines - Drums
