ALBUM REVIEW: Ballad Of A Misspent Youth – Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts
Tuk Smith was more than ready to kick off his solo project at the start of 2020, releasing a lead single and about to support MÖTLEY CRÜE and DEF LEPPARD on their stadium tour, when the pandemic abruptly halted his plans. Known for his role as frontman of punk rock band BITERS, the Nashville-based musician wasn’t done writing and playing music when BITERS broke up. Although the start of TUK SMITH & THE RESTLESS HEARTS was put on pause, lockdown gave Smith the chance to write and record the band’s debut album, Balled Of A Misspent Youth. While the timing wasn’t right the first time around, it definitely is now, and this album is their chance to make an impression.
Opening the album is its title track, and it’s immediately everything you would expect from a band with this imagery. It’s very typical Southern American rock, and while some of the lyrics can seem cliché, this works fairly well. TUK SMITH & THE RESTLESS HEARTS really lean into the country rock genre with this opening track, and they do it well. With a big dramatic guitar solo halfway through, it’s clear they’re not holding back. Next is Girls On The East Side Of Town, which has a more storytelling structure. This song is more focused on the vocals, with layers that give it more depth, and it feels a bit more relaxed. With a fun chorus and another guitar solo, it’s an enjoyable listen.
If there’s one thing to take from this album, it’s that TUK SMITH & THE RESTLESS HEARTS love their guitar solos. While they do elevate the songs in some instances, it starts to get a little old when they’re in almost every one. On the other hand, the guitars are the most important part of Ain’t For The Faint, and the riff really drives it through. The piano is another instrument vital to some songs, and it serves Everybody Loves You When You’re Dead perfectly, making it a powerful ballad. As a change of pace, the lyrics are more emotional and Smith’s vocal range is clearly shown. As guitar is added throughout the song, it has a strong stadium rock feeling, and it really is a high point on the album. Another highlight is Shadow On The Street, with snappy vocals and a change in tempo to keep the album interesting. The pre-chorus, funnily enough, is the best part, and builds the song into something really fun.
The better half of the album is the first, and as it goes on it starts to become much of the same. All in all, Ballad Of A Misspent Youth is a fairly strong album. While the lyrics are definitely stereotypical of American rock in a lot of the songs, this isn’t the worst thing, and it quite often fits with the concept and genre. For a debut album, TUK SMITH & THE RESTLESS HEARTS definitely show the world what they have to offer, and Ballad Of A Misspent Youth is a good summer road trip album.
Rating: 7/10
Ballad Of A Misspent Youth is set for release on November 4th via MRG.
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