The darlings of a certain UK ‘Classic’ Rock station release their eponymous debut album, Broken Witt Rebels in late November. This 10-track CD combines the six songs from the Birmingham band’s two most recent EPs – Howlin‘ and Georgia Pine – with four brand new numbers.
Their sound is soaked in heavy blues mixed with a dash of Americana, so it’s worth pointing out that this band is from Birmingham in the UK, not the colonial one.
It is an enjoyable romp through the blues/soul world – think Rising Sons, Alabama Shakes but, the ‘Rebels give this usually pared back sound a great big kick of growling guitar and with a solid bass and drum behind them, they make a damn good sound.
OK, it doesn’t break new ground but it does supply 36 minutes of fun.
Outstanding track is one of the new ones ,‘Breathless’, a really well put together song with plenty of power and feeling which shows off the instrumentation to best effect. The weakest is the rather plain (by comparison) ‘Guns’ and I still think ‘Radar Love’ is about to start when I hear the opening bars of ‘Low’.
A great debut (if you haven’t already bought the EPs) and certainly a band to watch.
