Ever since 2014 Bristol hasn’t been quite the same, as it was that year that the Sons Of Liberty rode into town and the rest is Rock history. These five desperate men from Wales and the South West, have continued to avoid the law and have now managed to produce a follow up to their 2019 debut album, ‘Animism’ with yet more Whiskey and gunslinging fuelled tracks, ‘Aces & Eights’ will be available from the general store on June 18th.
‘Ruby Star’ is a pumping swagger of a track. With the throaty vocals of Rob Cooksley, backing vocals and guitar plucking, all fitting in so neatly, you are hooked from the off. There’s a fine piece of guitar screaming before the end and it leads straight into ‘Don’t Hide Behind Your Weakness’. A song that takes a weighty message and gives you hope. There are softer tones and more of a country vibe, that combine to give it a gentle and engrossing finish. ‘Black Blizzard’ continues in a similar direction. Stripped back vocals and simple guitar, is the theme for the telling of this tale. Not so on ‘Beef Jerky Boogie’ the Sons get back in the saddle and share plenty of their wisdom. A light hearted stomp to get your boots on the dance floor. The single ‘Damaged Reputation’ is based on one of Rob’s friends and how he was treated, the result affecting him in more ways than one. This is a storming tune, just hits all the walls and bounces back as you. Flowing with a chant of a chorus and some brilliant guitar, that intercepts and fills the gaps. The video below was shot In Bristol, as the Bridewell police station riots were taking place. ‘There we are, all dressed as convicts, shooting a video, and all hell breaks loose!’ chuckled Rob.
’Fire & Gasoline’ will feature on the NWOCR Vol 1 compilation album in July, it’s no surprise to ‘Sons’ fans as they are pretty popular with that group, being voted 4th favourite band in 2020. The song is another blistering journey into the sunset with gritty vocals and a thumping rhythm. The sticks of Steve Byrne and bass by Mark Thomas hold this one together really tightly. It’s a hoedown in the hay barn, as ‘Doc’s Remedy’ is poured out. Whatever is in that bottle, it whips up a proper shindig. Lively and amusing, you can’t say ’Sons Of Liberty’ are the slightest bit dull, it even ends with a few giggles. ‘I Come In Peace’ is a total contrast. A ballad of awesome strength and you can almost touch the pain that emits from this song. Rob Cooksley is at his finest on this one, taking the lyrics and grasping them in his fist. The twin guitars of Fred Hale and Andy ‘Moose’ Muse offer a stack of momentous strings that create so much atmosphere. It leaves you wanting for more, a true work of art. You have to be prepared for ‘Lights Are On’ as from the onset you are faced with a surge of energy. Crikey, what a rebel rousing chorus and that underlying riff ! Such a spontaneous number, bursting at the seams with loud and repeating lines. Building to a crescendo towards the final verse and then coming in again, over and over with everyone singing ‘Lights Are On’. On! more like dazzling with full beam. ‘Whiskey Is My Vaccine’ is a mellow rocker. More embracing words from Rob, his voice is top notch on this one. A fine injection of Southern Blues and the slow bars of twang, give it plenty of warmth. A decent end to a really well laid out album.
So have Sons Of Liberty triumphed with Aces & Eights? Guess the answer is yes, this is up there with the acclaimed debut and matches it in terms of variety and entertaining creativeness. The inclusion of lighter, humorous tracks among the more raunchy and refined numbers makes it truly diverse. It’s fair to say the album will fulfil the appetite of all Sons Of liberty fans and when this drops, the South West desperadoes will gain a hoard of new posse members. I’ll see you up at the Saloon Bar !
Rob Cooksley – ‘We had a load of fun recording this as I concealed a bottle of whiskey and glass in the recording booth and proceeded to drink it on the sly…let’s hope our Producer doesn’t read this!”
‘When this drops, the South West desperadoes will gain a hoard of new posse members.’
Highlights – Ruby Star, Damaged Reputation, I Come In Peace, Lights Are on.
Pre-order your CD now from https://sonsofliberty.bigcartel.com/…/cd-album-aces…
Buy Damaged Reputation: https://ditto.fm/damaged-reputation
Buy cool merchandise: https://sonsofliberty.bigcartel.com/
Like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialSons…
Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/@SonsLibertyUK
Love them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonsofliber…
Website: https://sonsoflibertyband.com/
The band have a full UK tour and festival dates around the album release which can be found here: www.sonsoflibertyband.com/tour
Written by Sons of Liberty. Produced, Engineered and Mixed by Josiah J Manning at Momentum Studios. Video Directed, Filmed and Edited by Tommy Rowe. Stills and Video Assistance by Alex Toze. Staged in The Basement at The Island, Bristol.
All info correct at time of publishing.
