The southern United States seemingly has an endless supply of quality guitar based troubadours and bands, and now its time to add Mr Walker to that list.
Stay Gold is actually this Georgia native's 8th album, although to many in the UK this will be new news with previous album, last year’s Afraid of Ghosts, being seemingly his first taste of exposure to the UK.
Contrary to Afraid of Ghosts, which was inspired by the sad passing of his father, this is a full on, in your face rock and roll album, and after just a couple of spins, you realise if this had been released by a certain Mr Springsteen, we’d all be talking about him being back on form.
The previous album was produced by Ryan Adams and his influence has clearly rubbed off, especially from around his Gold era, along with the aforementioned Springsteen. Even some of the joy and hooks from Bryan Adams and pop hooks of Rick Springfield are evident on this release. This is a damn fine album of classic American rock and roll, best enjoyed with a cold beer sitting in the sunny back garden, or better still in a convertible Cadillac driving down route 66.
Stay Gold opens with the title track, a full on no holds barred rock and roller, almost mimicking The Summer of 69 guitar riffs, before cascading into the chorus shouting out to natives of his home town to stay positive. The mood is set for the next few tracks, including one of the album highlights Wilder in the Heart - almost Counting Crows like accordian adding depth and grace to this joyous tale of an airport meeting with a girl.
Surprise of the ten tracks on show comes with the piano led Descending, coming slap bang in the middle of the album. This is a gorgeous duet with country singer Ashley Monroe, and a standout from anything else on the album, but none the worse for it, in fact it almost provides a respite and prevents the album being one dimensional.
Spark:Lost is my favourite of the tracks on offer here, a mid paced fabulous sing along chorus, before the guitar break and harmonious oohs and aahs at the close of the song. Wonderful uplifting stuff.
The acoustic Record Store closes the album as a love song to the disappearing record store culture, although this acts almost as a bring me down and suitable closure to the set of songs.
This is the type of album you put on at a BBQ or gathering of friends, and sit back and wait for people to ask who the hell just came on the stereo. It has influences all over the album, but its a worthy addition for any fans of those bands and singers. Several spins on and you start unpicking the lyrics and the stories buried within the gorgeous songs, and you realise what a songwriter Walker is. This is a cracking album, and its impossible not to feel cheered up while its on.
8/11
@kjsmith4082
