Black Joe Lewis + The Honeybears
Backlash
Reviewed by: Lauren Rosier
Black Joe Lewis is an artist who has the ability to blend the blues, funk, soul, and rock. The mix is a route that he’s familiar with and Backlash is all that and more. However, it adds new approaches to familiar genres and melodies. From his stunning vocals, funky melodies, to his composition, there’s always something different on this record, yet similar to his previous releases.
The opener, “Flash Eyed,” brings brassy funk and vocals similar to blues rock giants, The Black Keys, to make for an exciting opening track. Lewis has always shined on the guitars and on “Global,” he does it again. The funk track opens with a crescendo of guitars that peak into a solid jam rock intro, then the song’s dynamics slow into a garage rock-inspired track. If you haven’t noticed, he tends to create a surge in his songs’ energy at the very end, when you’re expecting it wind down. He delivers a spine-tingling howl with less than a minute left in the song and then punches you with three more to make sure you’re paying attention. “Freakin Out” also features a brief howl. “Shadow People” has that rough-around-the-edges rock vibe that combines electronics into a track that’s reminiscent of The Black Keys meets Animal Collective. On “Wasted,” Lewis channels melodic, old school soul meet psychedelic rock that features soulful background vocals and his signature brass section.
Overall, Backlash has some great songs, but doesn’t travel far enough away from his signature blues rock and funk sound as he could. It would be interesting to see how he could create a record that’s out of his comfort zone, while still being somewhat true to his roots.
Rating: Listenable
