There can be a fine line at the point where country and
Americana music merge into a straightforward mainstream rock sound. Belfast
based band The Rising have demonstrated knowing its precise location and
suitably positioned their album to pitch to listeners from those genres rather
than the minefield of bland radio fodder. Make no mistake COMING HOME is a belt
and braces rock album full of crashing guitars, riffs and solos but it also
toys with some of the sounds emanating from Nashville’s stadium crop and the
more indie elements that fuel the alt country music scene.
The intention behind this release was to adopt a more roots
rock stance leading to guitarist Chris Logan adding banjo and mandolin to his
armoury, although their influence can be a touch tricky to detect. What are
undeniable are the raw passion, energy and integrity that exists within the ten
songs that race along at a breathless pace. The Rising are effectively a
slimmed down version of a deceased band formerly known as Exit with vocalist Tristan
Harris and bassist Andy Morgan joining Logan to complete the trio.
The band hasn’t lost the knack of pursuing airplay with a
rousing chorus attaching itself to the lead off track ‘Calling You’. However there are more substantial moments on the
album such as the angry vocals bringing ‘Break
the Chains’ to life and the more melodic ‘City by the Sea’. Although the stand out track ‘Highway to the Lost
and Found’ possesses all the drive and emotion of new wave with more than a
passing resemblance to Jason and the Scorchers firing on all cylinders.
The Nashville effect is in evidence on the track ‘Still Coming Home to You’ which is very much in the same vein sound wise as Keith Urban. As Music City was one of the
recording locations alongside Los Angeles and Belfast, this is unsurprising but
probably a result of working with Grammy Award winning engineer Hank Williams
who numbers Urban amongst his clients. The press release is quick to namecheck
Springsteen but there are definite traces of late 80s U2 in the backbeat to ‘Dreaming & Scheming’.
The final four tracks on the album never quite reach the
same heights as the opening half a dozen as they occasionally wander into
classic rock territory and some of the raw energy is lost. ‘Shadows on the Wall’ is probably the
pick of this segment as the album switches to stadium and festival mode with the finale of ‘Return to the Moon’
especially skirting epic status.
COMING HOME by The Rising is a record that appears to have
accomplished its objectives in the making. The challenge is now to engage the
music listening public whose tastes are ready to savour this brand of rock
music. Many from the country, roots and Americana genre who are ready to push
boundaries in their listening habits will find merit in the release whether
they seek a straightforward guitar bashing sound or something with a little
more edge.