ALBUM REVIEW: Can We Get A Witness – The Georgia Thunderbolts
Rock music finds its roots in soul and blues. To this day, the swagger of effortlessly cool blues jams swims through the veins of guitar riffs, Though rock vocalists aren’t typically velveteen like MARVIN GAYE or OTIS REDDING, soul is an attitude our chosen genres have in spades. Housing some of that charisma, Southern boys THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS drop their debut full-length album this Friday.
Combining tracks from 2019’s Southern Rock From Rome and 2020’s self-titled EP, Can We Get A Witness pulls from a term which asks for support from your brothers and sisters. This album steeps in that sentiment, proclaiming it’s okay to be yourself as long as you’re a good person underneath it all. Across the 13 song suite, this five-piece from Rome GA are unapologetically themselves.
The swinging groove in opening Take It Slow’s riffs have the distinct whiff of Southern rock many of us have come to love. Harmonicas gather around the melody like cigarette smoke outside the bar on a Friday night. As we sing along with TJ Lyle’s musings of “ain’t got a dollar to my name”, this feels like a rousing anthem we can lose ourselves in. It’s the notion of escapism which draws us in to the record. Whether it’s the salacious rhythm section strutting through Half Glass Woman or the country vibes of It’s Alright, this is an album you can put on this weekend and have a good night to.
Digging beneath the surface listen is where snags arise. There is no doubt THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS have serious musicianship at the helm. It’s knowing this which makes the shortfalls frustrating. So You Wanna Change The World’s simple structure of melody and vocals in the verses set the foundation for a tune to kick people into gear. As it continues however, this slower tune doesn’t encourage us to be the “something we need to be”. Dancin’ With The Devil starts with a seductive bassline and vocal harmonies which burn like hellfire. Lyle’s life lesson “you can’t keep dancin’ with the devil and wonder why you’re still in hell” blends incredibly well with the buzzing rhythm section of Zach Everett (bass/backing vocals) and Bristol Perry (drums), but pacing issues dull their edge as this dance with the devil peters out.
At the top of the review, we mentioned this album is a message to be yourself. Being truly authentic in a world where facades rule the day is difficult. With this in mind, the honky-tonk inspired Be Good To Yourself begs you to put on your dancing shoes and forget your blues. Promises of sun shiny days and good karma warm us like that first sip of the good stuff. Can I Get A Witness pushes that idea one step further and becomes a rebellion against those who doubted you. The hip-swaying guitars have us feeling our oats. Smokey vocals reign supreme at the expense of the naysayers who now “know they were wrong”.
THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS planned on giving us a debut which would shake us to the core like a good thunderstorm. Can We Get A Witness does shake us as infectious melodies stay with us long after the last note. THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS should be proud of themselves as this is a feel good album laced with raw pride. For the moment however, the rumble in these skies still sits on the edge of glory.
Rating: 7/10
Can We Get A Witness is set for release on October 15th via Mascot Records.
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