Vagabon Brew’s retro-fitted brand of rock and roll takes off with their new single “When the Smoke Settles” and carries anyone listening along for the ride. The intuitive understanding these musicians have for what makes genuine music crackle and percolate for listeners. The unbridled honesty of this single, the unfettered language of its conversational lyrics, and the pedal to the floor soul of its classic rock ‘n’ roll changes has a potent touch without ever sounding like they are straining themselves to make the magic happen. It comes as natural as breathing. Another strength working in the song’s favor is the clean and punchy production driving the music. The Knoxville based outfit makes every note count and it gets under the listener’s skin from the outset.
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They’re well versed in blues rock. It isn’t bucket of blood blues either but, instead, rollicking and fueled by loose-limbed vigor. The band’s drumming hooks into the effortless swing defining the genre’s finest efforts, classic or modern, and the guitar locks into that groove. Near-barrelhouse piano lightens the song’s touch without ever diluting its effect. Many listeners will hear the fleet fingered keys as the track’s crowning touch that fleshes out its melodic potential. It imbues the cut with spry musicality that physically engages you.
The vocals manifest the same irrepressible swing. They overflow with rough and ready rock swagger without ever coming off as heavy handed or hackneyed. “When the Smoke Settles” benefits from impeccable timing in the vocal department as the singing never attempts to dominate the performance. This is a singer uninterested in filling every available space with his voice and, instead, focuses his attention on complementing the musical arrangement. It’s a classic case study of how a singer fits best in a band setting.
“When the Smoke Settles” isn’t performed poetry. There’s undoubted intelligence, however, in these lyrics about the slings and arrows rock bands endure with the hopes of listeners hearing and embracing their music. Listeners will detect some cynicism, lightly said, and the added lyrical bite draws blood. However, it never takes a chunk out of the listener. There is no anger or malice. It plays with the concept behind the lyrics with a wry and knowing smile, but you know hearing it that Vagabon Brew has suffered some to make songs such as this happen.
No one has Knoxville, Tennessee pegged as the home base for America’s next great pure rock and roll band. Maybe they should. Vagabon Brew aren’t interested in remaking the songwriting wheel, but they frame “When the Smoke Settles” with expert skill that reaches far beyond bar band status. These cats can and will do amazing things in the future and it is their moment, Let’s hope they keep working in this vein for many years to come and you’ll want to be on their side after hearing the new single. It’s a reminder, as if anyone needs one, of rock and roll’s transformational power and an overall good time. Let the good times roll, boys.
Chadwick Easton