“No I ain’t tryin’ to reinvent the wheel” boasts the title track to “The Wheel,” the forthcoming album from local band Hwy Lions. I’d say the sentiment holds true. The band has not reinvented the genre of rock, or country, or indie; rather carefully crafted a mixture of all three to create something comfortably familiar, yet exciting and wonderful.
The 34 and a half minute album is short and to the point, and has an eclectic mix of songs that cover a wide range. After a few more listens, it might take the mantle of my favorite Hwy Lions album. It will surely contend for best local album of the year.
Recorded at Foxtrot Productions & Studios and engineered by Steve Sullivan, the quality of the recording becomes quickly apparent. When compared to the band’s last album, “Travelin’ On,” this one captures the energy and soul of the band in a much truer fashion.
“The Wheel” has a much more country lean to it than previous Hwy Lions releases. Don’t get me wrong, this is a rock and roll album, but the southern roots of all four members of the band can be heard throughout. Local fiddler Tim Brogan makes a guest appearance on a few of the tracks, most notably on the title track, where his twangy strings provide a subtle backdrop to the most high energy track on the album.
Also featured is local musician Logan Hall, who appears on almost the whole record. Hall lends his talents on the B3 organ, adding a fullness and soul throughout; and on the pedal steel, laying down ripe solos and some gritty accompaniment.
Hall’s most prominent contribution is on the last track “Ruby Red,” a rendition and re-recording of a song from Hwy Lions 2007 self-titled EP. This powerful, bluesy ballad hammers the point home with the big backing sounds of that B3 organ, and is certainly a good note to end on. According to the band, engineer Steve Sullivan said of the final track, “if that doesn’t say get the hell out, then I don’t know what does.”
“October is Over,” is one of the more up-tempo songs, for which the band has just released a music video in collaboration with Moviesauce. Vocalist Daniel Goodwill said of the shoot “that was a lot of fun,” which seems like simply the right thing to say; but once you watch the video you’ll get why.
The track “Thorny Vine” follows a country shuffle called “Purple Heart” and was written by bassist Michael Chreene. More of a Beatles-inspired song, Chreene and guitarist Chris DeRosia swap instruments for this one; Chreene taking the lead on vocals as well as laying down a pretty killer solo.
A favorite track of the band is number five, “Never Give Up,” a mellow ballad that builds into a passionate chorus and some killer guitar work from DeRosia.
The album, funded by a very successful Kickstarter campaign, totals nine new tracks and the re-recorded “Ruby Red.” Most of these songs have rarely been played live as a way to keep them fresh for the release, a notion that diehard fans and Kickstarter supporters should appreciate once they pop this bad boy in the player.
The album will be released on Friday, April 17 at the Randle T. Moore Center on a night that should be a lot of fun for all who attend, but Kickstarter backers should be happy to see their copy of the album come in the mail a few weeks before that.
Overall I think it a great album that Shreveport should be proud of. As I chatted with the band to take a first listen to the album, drummer Steve Emery snoozed peacefully on the floor (at one point in key with the song). Once kicked and asked what he had to say about the album he said, “I’m proud of it.” Damn right Steve, you should be.
Photo by M.C. Rollo.