Robert Jon & The Wreck – Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes
Rootsy Californian rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck gave themselves a hard album to follow task after 2024’s excellent Red Moon Rising, but that’s been the follow that then case since 2020’s outstanding Last Light On The Highway.
While ninth album Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes encapsulates just who, and where, the band are today, it also plays out like a Best Of RJ&TW, with every major facet of the band’s style and sound covered.
That may well be, in part, through working with noted producer Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Rival Sons) and signing up to Joe Bonamassa & Roy Weisman’s Journeyman Records (a one-stop label, management, promotion & marketing shop).
There's also an airplay friendly vibe this time around from Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals, guitar), Henry James (lead guitar), Warren Murrell (bass), Andrew Espantman (drums) and Jake Abernathie (keys).
Opener 'Sittin' Pretty' leads with ominous Hammond organ before developing into a short, sharp and fast-paced rocker. Acapella verses are delivered between rock n roll styled riffage before the band drops to a half-time beat for the guitar solo; the tempo is upped again for the outro choruses.
'Sittin' Pretty' is high-geared to go down a storm at live gigs, but there’s an element here of full throttle classic rock by the numbers.
Far more impressive is the downtempo 'Ashes In The Snow.'
A thoughtful number with a mid-tempo vibe and heavy Southern rock influences, there are also some great melodies at play here, particularly in the chorus. Some interesting retro-production (a phased drum break) further elevates this song, which features a great guitar solo. A fully fleshed out 'Wreck winner.
'Highway' is a mid-tempo rocker featuring twin guitar harmony parts (think Lizzy meets Skynyrd).
There’s also a considered arrangement and great sense of dynamics at play here, with verses dropping to sparse instrumentation. Another great number.
'Old Man' is another highlight. With echoes of Free, some lovely lead guitar parts punctuating the verse lyrics and an emotionally wrought outro, 'Old Man' may be simply arranged, but it’s highly effective.
'Dark Angel' opens with a southern fried killer riff but then falls into the standard rocker trap, further hamstrung by an uninspiring chorus. Another great guitar solo, however, provides some redemption.
'Long Gone' opens as if it’s going to morph into Skynyrd’s 'Workin' For MCA' before slipping into funky blues territory. The breakdown provides further interest and there’s a clever chord structure behind the wah-wah guitar solo.
'Better Of Me' is a different proposition altogether with some barroom boogie piano, guitars a la Stones/ Faces and an arrangement that sounds like it could fall apart at any moment (in a good way).
While ninth album Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes encapsulates just who, and where, the band are today, it also plays out like a Best Of RJ&TW, with every major facet of the band’s style and sound covered.
That may well be, in part, through working with noted producer Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Rival Sons) and signing up to Joe Bonamassa & Roy Weisman’s Journeyman Records (a one-stop label, management, promotion & marketing shop).
There's also an airplay friendly vibe this time around from Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals, guitar), Henry James (lead guitar), Warren Murrell (bass), Andrew Espantman (drums) and Jake Abernathie (keys).
Opener 'Sittin' Pretty' leads with ominous Hammond organ before developing into a short, sharp and fast-paced rocker. Acapella verses are delivered between rock n roll styled riffage before the band drops to a half-time beat for the guitar solo; the tempo is upped again for the outro choruses.
'Sittin' Pretty' is high-geared to go down a storm at live gigs, but there’s an element here of full throttle classic rock by the numbers.
Far more impressive is the downtempo 'Ashes In The Snow.'
A thoughtful number with a mid-tempo vibe and heavy Southern rock influences, there are also some great melodies at play here, particularly in the chorus. Some interesting retro-production (a phased drum break) further elevates this song, which features a great guitar solo. A fully fleshed out 'Wreck winner.
'Highway' is a mid-tempo rocker featuring twin guitar harmony parts (think Lizzy meets Skynyrd).
There’s also a considered arrangement and great sense of dynamics at play here, with verses dropping to sparse instrumentation. Another great number.
'Old Man' is another highlight. With echoes of Free, some lovely lead guitar parts punctuating the verse lyrics and an emotionally wrought outro, 'Old Man' may be simply arranged, but it’s highly effective.
'Dark Angel' opens with a southern fried killer riff but then falls into the standard rocker trap, further hamstrung by an uninspiring chorus. Another great guitar solo, however, provides some redemption.
'Long Gone' opens as if it’s going to morph into Skynyrd’s 'Workin' For MCA' before slipping into funky blues territory. The breakdown provides further interest and there’s a clever chord structure behind the wah-wah guitar solo.
'Better Of Me' is a different proposition altogether with some barroom boogie piano, guitars a la Stones/ Faces and an arrangement that sounds like it could fall apart at any moment (in a good way).
'I Wanna Give It' is a downtempo, bluesy number featuring memorable verse to chorus sequences punctuated by some excellent slide guitar parts; there are also tasty keyboard flourishes on both Rhodes and Hammond.
The band feels more comfortable with songs such as 'I Wanna Give It' and the title track, which follows; both are fine examples of the band playing to their slower tempo strengths.
Another emotional tale of lost love, 'Heartbreak & Last Goodbyes' features a beautifully effective and melancholic keyboard part that leads towards the final chorus. An album and RJ&TW highlight.
Album closer 'Keep Myself Clean' is a downtempo rocker with a sparse arrangement and verse vocals primarily sung over a drum pattern. Building nicely to the chorus, the song moves on to an excellent guitar solo before dropping the intensity, then building back up towards the finale.
Other than a couple of misfires, this is another strong outing from RJ&TW, with some outstanding moments.
There is also, however, a discernible and, one suspects, directed move towards commercial viability and wider reaching airplay potential (eight of the ten songs were released as singles prior to the album’s release).
In a musical world that’s getting harder to navigate, you can’t fault bands such as RJ&TW for taking a drive down Airplay Avenue – and an radio friendly 'Best Of' built around ten new songs is a good way to do just that.
Nelson McFarlane & Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes is released Friday 22nd August.
The band feels more comfortable with songs such as 'I Wanna Give It' and the title track, which follows; both are fine examples of the band playing to their slower tempo strengths.
Another emotional tale of lost love, 'Heartbreak & Last Goodbyes' features a beautifully effective and melancholic keyboard part that leads towards the final chorus. An album and RJ&TW highlight.
Album closer 'Keep Myself Clean' is a downtempo rocker with a sparse arrangement and verse vocals primarily sung over a drum pattern. Building nicely to the chorus, the song moves on to an excellent guitar solo before dropping the intensity, then building back up towards the finale.
Other than a couple of misfires, this is another strong outing from RJ&TW, with some outstanding moments.
There is also, however, a discernible and, one suspects, directed move towards commercial viability and wider reaching airplay potential (eight of the ten songs were released as singles prior to the album’s release).
In a musical world that’s getting harder to navigate, you can’t fault bands such as RJ&TW for taking a drive down Airplay Avenue – and an radio friendly 'Best Of' built around ten new songs is a good way to do just that.
Nelson McFarlane & Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes is released Friday 22nd August.