I've reviewed Gregg Stewart's new album in this issue of Music Street Journal, too. This was his debut. It shows a different side to the artist than its follow-up does. I like both of them quite a bit. There is a real roots rock vibe to this set. More than anything else, the best description for this album is "fun."
R Is for Rockstar This opening cut is a lot of fun. It's all about the stereotypes of rock star excess. It has a bit of a punky edge to it, but overall makes me think of Dire Straits to a large degree.
Let's Go Find a Night
If you merged the sound of Tom Petty with Bob Dylan's early electric period, you'd probably land somewhere near to this cut. While this is an effective rocker, I don't like it as much as I did the opener.
You're the One Another with a healthy helping of Tom Petty in the mix, this is strong. It's a no-frills rocker with some great hooks. It's fun.
Nobody Like You While there is still a classic roots music vibe to this, somehow the cut feels a bit more like a modern alternative rocker. The guitar solo has a tinny sort of sound to it, but it works, bringing some charm with it.
Give It All You Got
To me this has a bit of a Rolling Stones meets Tom Petty kind of vibe. It's a high energy number with a cool vibe and some great hooks. I really dig the meaty guitar solo.
Stone Cold Fox
This cut is just so much fun. I like it a lot. In fact, it's possibly my favorite on this tune. It has a real classic rocking sound. The hooks are great. The whole piece just works particularly well.
When the Work Is Done
Here we get a full on country song at the start. It has an energized shuffle and manages to rock.
Hey Doncha
Just try to not move when this fun little cut is playing. It's got an infectious energy and a bit of an island vibe. It's another that is packed full of fun.
What Am I to Do
This is more of a ballad, but not quite. It's a melodic rocker that has a lot of catchy elements to it. I like the vocal performance more than those on other songs for some reason.
Mystery
The mellowest cut here, this is a pretty ballad. I'm not sure about the wisdom of ending with such a low energy tune, but it does lend a bit of a grounding effect to the end of the set.
