ALBUM REVIEW: Rogue To Redemption – Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts

Making their debut on the frontman’s own record label, Rogue To Redemption is the hard-rocking unholy-rolling sophomore album from TUK SMITH & THE RESTLESS HEARTS. After highs and lows, contracts signed and ways parted, the band found themselves back in the studio and back on their feet, stronger than ever before.

Opening with the electrifying Take The Long Way, that retro rock ‘n’ roll influence is flowing through the fingertips – and vocals in frontman Smith. With those classic rock sounds, thrilling guitar riffs and universally recognised emotive lyrics working alongside one another, the band have squeezed a storm of a stadium show into a record. No lows, no lulls, just rocking and rolling like it’s going out of style.

Within Rogue To Redemption are choice cuts that will spin around the head for hours and days. One of these is Little Renegade – a single that was given to the masses prior to the entire record, and as a sample of what the listener will be expecting, it is definitely a standout anthem. Being one of encouragement and empowerment for the little guys in life, in the industry, or just in the world, it matches the same compositional formula as the rest of THE RESTLESS HEARTS’ track listing but holds one of the deepest and most emotional meanings out of the entire album. With the powerful sensation of its rock instrumental surrounding each and every line of sincere solidarity, it is destined to be a fan-favourite both in headphones and on stage.

Blood On The Stage follows directly after this, and the mood changes. It’s less “in your face” and more “right in front of your eyes” – the same effect but approached in very different manners. Being a more alternative ballad of a track, it’s a demonstration that THE RESTLESS HEARTS are less of a tribute act for an era way back when and more an act who can fuse their past with the present to create a loud and powerful future in their scene.

With a history of being a stadium support act, Rogue To Redemption is a record that solidifies that if the band ever find themselves in that very same environment, they have the hits to fill the venue from wall to wall, shaking seats from left to right and back to the very front. TUK SMITH & THE RESTLESS HEARTS are still in their early years and have many years, albums, eras and projects ahead of them but if this is a sign of where they’re going, then there is only one place they’re ending up: at the top.

Rating: 8/10

Rogue To Redemption is out now via Gypsy Rose Records.

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