Grace Basement, the rock-and-roll side project of St. Louis folk musician, multi-instrumentalist and producer Kevin Buckley, has released their fourth full-length album, Mississippi Nights.
The last album, Wheel Within a Wheel (2013), was a folk-based sound, the new one, Mississippi Nights, is supposedly more blues based – apparently inspired by the performances of his long-time rhythm section, drummer Jill Aboussie and bassist Greg Lamb.
Over the 10 tracks there are tinges of the late, great Tom Petty and The Beach Boys. However, neither heavy rock nor metal can be used to describe this album. It is very proficient and Buckley is obviously a talented musician but to my rock/blues/metal ears this is, I’m afraid, just fluff.
The only track I can recommend is ‘Midnight Bell‘, which starts like a T Rex single but cries out for a decent solo. If you like lightweight rock, well performed and well structured but without bite, then this is for you.
