Blackberry Smoke - Holding all the Roses

The buzz on Blackberry Smoke overall has been tremendous to say the least. In a close listen, Holding All The Roses is dynamite waiting to explode in your player. Blackberry Smoke is an interesting band whom most consider Southern rock. Yes, there's a tinge of this flavor in their latest release and it's apparent in some songs more than others.

This album is a good collection of rockers and ballads. The major difference is that that they are good efforts, and some songs move more mainstream rock and blues. Blackberry Smoke introduces a number of characters in these songs, and you will know all of them. You might be sitting next to one. That's what music is about, the relating of the human condition.

There's a lot to like. "Let Me Help You Find The Door" starts the CD. Finally, someone does a song about the repackaging of things or politicians we would like to see just gone. The best line is "Same sons of bitches still rigging the game; they sell the same old faces with a brand new name." Ain't it the truth? Another rocker is "Payback's A Bitch" which takes the bad side of betrayal to a new level. The song does an extended walk-up, and kind of just pulls the nasty surprise at the post. The line "Yeah if I were you I'd sleep with one eye open" resonates well. "Payback's a Bitch" fits the current political climate.

Holding All The Roses has its ballads. "Women In The Moon" is the best of them, but it has such an R.E.M. feel to it you may think it's not a southern rock band you're listening to. Conversely, "Too High" is right down the kind of sound that Blackberry Smoke is known for, fiddles and all, and talks about those lofty goals set but never achieved. This sound is carried into "Randolph Country Farewell," a guitar instrumental that might catch you watching a sundown someplace.

Get a copy of Holding All The Roses if what you crave is lyrics that can relate to where you are today. This is a lot of what sold us on rock and roll to start with, back in the 70's we could all relate to it and had a common focus point. If you've been down that road a many miles, and find no home up on the hill, maybe this is a good brass ring to go for.

- Chris Br