Robert Jon & The Wreck – Wreckage Vol. 3
Wreckage Vol. 3, from California roots rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck, follows on from last year’s studio album Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes.
It’s also the third part of what is now a trilogy of Wreckage releases – Vol. 1 (2017) was a collection of early EP tracks and Single B-sides (any of which could have made an album cut).
Vol. 2 (2022) collated a selection of live performances, both on stage and in session.
Vol. 3 collects the five standalone singles released over the last year, plus four songs that made up the bonus tracks on the Deluxe Edition of 2024's excellent Red Moon Rising album.
Country-tinged opener 'Run Back To Me' is a plaintive number with front man Robert Jon Burrison lyrically bemoaning the pressures of touring.
Carrying a lovely ear-worm chorus, the song highlights one of RJ&TW’s songwriting strengths, where melodies & choruses with a pop sensibility meet Southern rock swagger. The song also includes an impressive solo by guitarist Henry James.
'Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is' is a rockier number with another sing-along chorus.
Showcasing the band’s heavier side, the structure of quiet verse/loud chorus borrows heavily from the 90s grunge template.
'Arryo' is described by Henry James as "a semi-improvised 70s southern rock jam" with unabashed and intentional tips of the cap to groups such as the Allman Brothers and Gov’t Mule (never a bad thing).
Stylistically, there’s also a touch of classic rock/ Thin Lizzy in the mix, but the mash-up of various influences works extremely well.
'Back To The Beginning Again' is a stompy southern rock meeting Led Zeppelin head on.
Leaning heavily towards the rockier side of the band, and equipped with another stellar chorus, it stands strong as one of the best songs RJ&TW have ever done.
'Boss Man' is a down and dirty, mid-tempo southern rock number with a bit of atmosphere.
Robert Jon Burrison again delivers vocally, while the "woah-oh" introduced chorus affords the opportunity for crowd participation in the live setting.
Another great number that, frankly, was unfortunate not to make the initial track-listing on Red Moon Rising.
'Point Of View,' which follows, has a strong Exile On Main St. era Stones influence.
With some rattling piano keys, female backing vocals and another tasty solo from Henry James, it highlights the rock and roll side of the band.
'Life Between The Lines' is an up-tempo boogie complete with insistent "woah-ohs" to encourage yet more audience participation. Pinned down by some excellent riffage and featuring a memorable chorus and impressive Henry James solo, this is another that showcases the band at their rockiest.
Equally weighty is the hard rockin’ 'Rager,' which has become a firm fan favourite.
Incorporating an insistent, heavy riff, funky verses and spacey choruses, the song is bolstered further by a top-notch Henry James solo that tips the hat to Ritchie Blackmore in some of the licks employed (there are some very Purple influences in the mix here).
Final song 'Hate To See You Go' also wears its influences on its sleeve, in this case the Allman Brothers and Free.
Apparently, the idea was started on a backstage green room piano by keys player Jake Abernathie; the final result is a song that works well as a loose, bar-room swinger type of number.
Wreckage Vol. 3 primarily, although not exclusively, focusses on the rawer, rockier and built from jamming variant of the band, which many of the older/ been with RJ&TW from the get-go fraternity will prefer.
More importantly, it’s more than just a collection of standalone singles – it’s a great Robert Jon & The Wreck album in its own right.
Nelson McFarlane
FabricationsHQ
Stream Wreckage Vol. 3 here: https://ffm.to/wreckage-vol-3
CD & Vinyl: https://shop.robertjonandthewreck.com/collections/music
It’s also the third part of what is now a trilogy of Wreckage releases – Vol. 1 (2017) was a collection of early EP tracks and Single B-sides (any of which could have made an album cut).
Vol. 2 (2022) collated a selection of live performances, both on stage and in session.
Vol. 3 collects the five standalone singles released over the last year, plus four songs that made up the bonus tracks on the Deluxe Edition of 2024's excellent Red Moon Rising album.
Country-tinged opener 'Run Back To Me' is a plaintive number with front man Robert Jon Burrison lyrically bemoaning the pressures of touring.
Carrying a lovely ear-worm chorus, the song highlights one of RJ&TW’s songwriting strengths, where melodies & choruses with a pop sensibility meet Southern rock swagger. The song also includes an impressive solo by guitarist Henry James.
'Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is' is a rockier number with another sing-along chorus.
Showcasing the band’s heavier side, the structure of quiet verse/loud chorus borrows heavily from the 90s grunge template.
'Arryo' is described by Henry James as "a semi-improvised 70s southern rock jam" with unabashed and intentional tips of the cap to groups such as the Allman Brothers and Gov’t Mule (never a bad thing).
Stylistically, there’s also a touch of classic rock/ Thin Lizzy in the mix, but the mash-up of various influences works extremely well.
'Back To The Beginning Again' is a stompy southern rock meeting Led Zeppelin head on.
Leaning heavily towards the rockier side of the band, and equipped with another stellar chorus, it stands strong as one of the best songs RJ&TW have ever done.
'Boss Man' is a down and dirty, mid-tempo southern rock number with a bit of atmosphere.
Robert Jon Burrison again delivers vocally, while the "woah-oh" introduced chorus affords the opportunity for crowd participation in the live setting.
Another great number that, frankly, was unfortunate not to make the initial track-listing on Red Moon Rising.
'Point Of View,' which follows, has a strong Exile On Main St. era Stones influence.
With some rattling piano keys, female backing vocals and another tasty solo from Henry James, it highlights the rock and roll side of the band.
'Life Between The Lines' is an up-tempo boogie complete with insistent "woah-ohs" to encourage yet more audience participation. Pinned down by some excellent riffage and featuring a memorable chorus and impressive Henry James solo, this is another that showcases the band at their rockiest.
Equally weighty is the hard rockin’ 'Rager,' which has become a firm fan favourite.
Incorporating an insistent, heavy riff, funky verses and spacey choruses, the song is bolstered further by a top-notch Henry James solo that tips the hat to Ritchie Blackmore in some of the licks employed (there are some very Purple influences in the mix here).
Final song 'Hate To See You Go' also wears its influences on its sleeve, in this case the Allman Brothers and Free.
Apparently, the idea was started on a backstage green room piano by keys player Jake Abernathie; the final result is a song that works well as a loose, bar-room swinger type of number.
Wreckage Vol. 3 primarily, although not exclusively, focusses on the rawer, rockier and built from jamming variant of the band, which many of the older/ been with RJ&TW from the get-go fraternity will prefer.
More importantly, it’s more than just a collection of standalone singles – it’s a great Robert Jon & The Wreck album in its own right.
Nelson McFarlane
FabricationsHQ
Stream Wreckage Vol. 3 here: https://ffm.to/wreckage-vol-3
CD & Vinyl: https://shop.robertjonandthewreck.com/collections/music