|
By: Dennis Cook
The phrase "classic rock" is tossed around pretty casually but not that many contemporary bands actually encompass the inherent characteristics – bar band muscle married to a yearning spirit, an appreciation for power chords and monster hooks, a strong songwriting base and a bottom line gonad-stirring chug that'd draw a smile from Chuck Berry. What you're looking for is a band that '70s era Skynyrd or Bad Company wouldn't throw off the tour bus and might even offer the opening slot at Budokan. Daybreakdown fits the bill to a tee, and their sophomore album, Shine Like Rust (Dirt Road Records), moves them even further into the future classic category.
There's nothing fancy or pretentious about this self-described "hard-hitting, in-your-face Southern rock band on the verge." That they choose not to define what they're on the "verge" (Getting it on? Making it big? Rockin' like a hurricane?) speaks to Daybreakdown's open-ended approach to meat 'n' taters rock. Tunes like "Lights" and "Anything At All" have some of Free's world-weary romance, strong men facing down the hard facts of living. Elsewhere they put Southern spirit and swooning organ into Crosby, Stills and Nash on the grand "Poorboy," while the glorious, wonderfully sung "Shotgun" is something John Bell might come up with on a good day.
All of the shelter and
All of the comfort you seek
Find it all right here in front of me
Like a shotgun full of sunshine
Loan me yours
You know I'll give you mine
Rust betters in almost every way their 2005 debut, Make Me Wiser, which was pretty damn strong and carried echoes of The Black Crowes and Drive-By Truckers. What they've done on this follow-up is leapfrog past their influences to the tantalizing beginnings of their own sound. You can't ask more of any band than they evolve, and Oxford, Miss' Daybreakdown is surely doing that. The sway of tender numbers and juke joint fare offers a full, real emotional range that's just bloody satisfying. It's hard to imagine someone who digs Widespread Panic or any of the other aforementioned touchstones not vibing pretty strongly with Rust, and if FM radio ever pulled their heads out of the past (or corporate dictated offerings) they'd discover a new "classic rock" band with plenty to offer. Don't make the same mistake as timid program directors – hop on this pony now while he's just picking up speed.
JamBase | Mississippi
Go See Live Music!
| 