Singles

Single Review : SONS OF LIBERTY – DAMAGED REPUTATION

By admin

Posted on 16th April 2021

6 min read

Comments Off

2,184

Review by Darren Smith for MPM

UK Southern rockers Sons Of Liberty have just dropped ‘Damaged Reputation’, the first single and it’s accompanying video from their impending 2^nd album ‘Aces and Eights’.

The lead track from the album, which is due for release on the 18^th June, is an imposing chunk of USA inspired Southern rock that the band are making a damn fine job of spreading the word about throughout the UK.

Along with the rest of the album, ‘Damaged Reputation’ was recorded throughout December 2020 at Momentum Studios with renowned UK producer Josiah J Manning at the helm, who has worked with acts such as Kris Barras Band, Moriaty and Willie and The Bandits.

The video, directed and produced by Tommy Rowe of Rowe Films was shot amidst the recent Bristol Bridewell police station riots. “There we are, all dressed as convicts, shooting a video, and all hell breaks loose!” chuckles Rob. He goes on to say about the track itself, “No matter how well you live your life, in my experience there is always someone who is out to make things difficult for you, in work, family and relationships. That’s what this song is about.”

The solid drum intro from Steve Byrne immediately got my ears pricked and my fingers tapping and then when Fred Hale and Andy Muse fired up their six-string weapons I was hooked.

Add in the solid bass line from Mark Thomas and I was smitten. Then, just as you think that things can’t get any better, that all too familiar growly vocal from Rob Cooksley chimes in and I was in heaven, well, southern rock heaven anyway.

Much like the tracks from their two EP’s, ‘Shinola’ and ‘Aged In Oak’ along with debut album ‘Animism’, ‘Damaged Reputation’ is designed for you to have a bloody good sing along and boogie too and that design has no flaws in it at all. Just stop yourself stomping your feet, I dare you.

There really is nothing not to like about ‘Damaged Reputation’, it has an infectious beat, courtesy of the Byrne and Thomas, is laden with hooks, swathed in melody and full of lyrics that you can completely relate to as you sing along to them.

As always, Rob puts everything into his vocal performance, his bourbon drenched growl making it completely captivating. If that is not enough, the twin guitar assault from Messrs Hale and Muse will have you scrambling to open the lock on your air guitar case and be the guitar hero in your own front room.

I am now seriously looking forward to hearing the rest of ‘Aces & Eights’. For me personally, it has been fun to hear the bands progression since that first EP and with each subsequent release. On the back of this track it seems that the upward spiral the band are on is showing no signs of peaking yet.

For now though, until June 18^th, lets revel in the glory of this single. Pull your cowboy boots on, get that Stetson sitting nicely on your head, pour yourself a few bourbons and take in a bit more first rate Southern rock, courtesy of Sons of Liberty. Just remember though, these guys are rocking you from the south west of England and not the southern states of the USA.