If your love of true rock music is allied with your parents’ country music record collection, then I guess it’s inevitable that the two will merge when you come to devote your career to writing and performing… thankfully for all music lovers my Dad’s love of Klaus Wunderlicht albums and mine of Deep Purple didn’t materialise as I am a crap guitarist!
It does work rather well for Ontario raised Cory Marks who has developed a style of his own on guitar and has turned out thirteen varied and likeable songs on his debut album called Who I Am. A fitting title as some of the songs are obviously autobiographical and all of the music most certainly is.
It contains a single that garnered a lot of attention over the pond as ‘Outlaws And Outsiders’ features feat. Ivan Moody of Five Finger Death Punch and Mick Mars of Motley Crue. The opening of the track defines all that is good about country/southern rock and will soon get you involved in this brilliant blend of banjo, slide electric and genius power chords.
‘Drive’ is more overtly country in the vocal melodies and phrasing but still has blues/rock bite and is infectious. ‘Blame It On The Double’ is heavy country blues with southern rock woven through it. Any comparisons to certain bands are unjustified as this has greater depth, plus some tasty guitar that’s a bit low in the mix for me.
The title track is another brilliant blend that has bounce and great instrumentation throughout as Cory again makes this melding work so well. ‘Another Night In Jail’ is a bit too laid back at first but soon hits the rock button and saves itself. ‘Out In The Rain’ is the obligatory ballad, but ‘Devil’s Grin’ brings an immediate smile to my face at least – imagine Seasick Steve with full electric and boisterous chorus with more catchiness than a broken fingernail!
This may be too country for some but I promise if you give it a chance, it has so much to offer. The instrumentation is first class and every song will have you joining in. So don’t decide by genre labels, give it a listen and be pleasantly surprised by this accessible and enjoyable album
