Review by Rob Broom for MPM
Scorching third album from the Canadian rock outfit.
Previously unknown to me, The Commoners could be described as a ‘Southern Blues Rock’ band. To my ears The Commoners contain a heady mix of Black Crowes circa ‘The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion’ album, Rival Sons, a touch of Thunder and a variety of classic 1970s guitar and keyboard driven rock. Whilst that is a great mix I’m not sure that’s really doing them fair justice so lets get started on the review!
First cut ‘Devil Teasin’ Me’ is a punchy opener as the band set out their musical stall. The whole band are full of energy and power. Vocalist Chris Medhurst instantly demonstrates he is a singer with a distinctive voice and this song sets the tone for the whole album.
Next up, second track ‘Shake You Off’ absolutely smacks you straight in the face. The whole tune struts around full of attitude. Noticeable here and a feature of many of the songs is the backing vocals, which add depth and character to the arrangements. The guitars riff it up and this should really get the crowd going.
Third song ‘The Way I Am’ pumps along with thumping drums and twisting guitar work. Those backing vocals really work to empathise the lyrics. This song, like many on the album, contain lyrics that while they may be personal to the writer, we can also identify with them.
Title cut ‘Restless’ slows down the pace. It broods and meanders along with yet more great guitar from Ross Hayes Citrullo. Bass from Ben Spiller and drums from Adam Cannon are locked together with a solid beat.
The tempo rocks back up with fifth track ‘Gone Without Warning’. This one rocks, boogies, shimmies, shakes and then throws in some epic sounding moments. It’s going to be killer live and how they fitted it all into four minutes is nothing short of remarkable! Turn it up loud and rock out!
If ‘Who Are You (Ain’t Knocked Down)’ can’t get you up and dancing around ( or at least get you tapping your toes), then really you must be a party pooper. There’s a great groove to this song and plenty of fire.
Seven songs in, ‘Body And Soul’ smoulders and burns with the passion that the song conveys. Miles Evans-Branagh offers tasteful supporting keyboards while the rest of the band nail down a slow and purposeful masterpiece that should stand the test of time very well.
‘See You Again’ has a large dose of acoustic guitar and choppy keyboard accompaniment. It swoops and soars along as the lyrics look backwards and forwards in time. It is one of those ‘lighters (or nowadays mobile phones with the lights on) in the air’ pieces. Like the ‘Body And Soul’ before it, there is texture and depth to this song.
Last but one track ‘ Too Soon To Know You’ has plenty of swagger as the tempo rises and falls. As the track winds down Chris Medhurst sings his heart out and the band play on, this should be terrific live.
Final Cut ‘All That We Have’ is a reflective and soulful acoustic refrain. It gives a balance to the album that makes it very easy to start listening from the beginning of the album again!
The Commoners have really struck pay dirt here. ‘Restless’ is a top quality fantastic album and the band fully deserve significant success on the back of it. In places the album really kicks up a storm and elsewhere it is full of soul, poise and elegance. The whole band and production have given a full richness to the sound that makes the album a real joy to listen to.
Still, if you can’t take my word for it, then the simplest thing to do is go listen to – or better still buy – what is a truly excellent album, you won’t be disappointed.
THE COMMONERS – JULY 2024 UK TOUR
SPECIAL GUEST: *MADISON GALLOWAY
July 19th – *The Grace, London
July 20th – Maid of Stone Festival
July 21st – *Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes
July 23rd – *KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
July 24th – *Arlington Arts Centre, Reading
July 25th – *Night & Day Cafe, Manchester
July 26th – *The Caves, Edinburgh
July 27th – *Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds
July 28th – Steelhouse Festival
The Commoners new album “Restless” is released July 5th by Gypsy Soul Records. The album is available from https://thecommoners.ca/.
