The blues is alive…and it is well, very well. Julie Rhodes debut full length record, “Bound to Meet the Devil” is full blown proof of that. Specked with the fire burning deep inside Rhode’s chest, simple but cutting lines that blues has become defined by and a band that is super tight but incredibly adaptable, this release has a throwback vibe with a message that stands true about love, loss, and the grind of every day. The warmth and soul of that sonic backdrop provided by an impressive musical cast gives the singer’s voice the space it needs to breath and shine, but still manages to be absolutely phenomenal and attention grabbing.
The first track off the record was one we already gave high praise to but is worth a second to just say, wow. “Reserving the most cutting notes for when they will matter the most. A skill and decision that really works for the singer-songwriter” and “Bluesy and badass, that my friend’s, is what defines Julie Rhodes”, well those thoughts still ring true and “In Your Garden” has the hooks and catchiness of a memorable radio tune mixed with a throwback vibe and warmth that would make any soul purist swoon. There is a great amount of variety that is surprising and welcome throughout the remaining tracks as well…
“Hey Stranger” has an islands style upstroke guitar and throbbing keys in the background. Soft, but deep and breaking from the smoothness at just the right moments.
“See The Sun” lets Julie take on a bit of a subdued emotion. A slow dance around a room engulfed in smoke and gray. Where she often times takes on the descriptors “badass” and “cutting” she is allowed to sit back and let the beauty unfold. This is a sure standout on the collection of mostly uptempo, driving numbers. Something really moving and special here.
“Grinnin’ In Your Face” starts off with a front porch delta kind of style, an electric slide comes in soon after the first verse, but remains sparse and allows each part to stand on its own. The musicality still remains impeccable and provides the backdrop for the voice of Julie Rhodes to stand front and center stage. It’s a combination of perfection.
It is all about the emotion. The delivery of each word that Rhodes spits burrows deep and doesn’t let its hold off of you. There is a wide breadth of sound and feeling contained on “Devil”, no small feat where a style classified as “blues” can often feel stale or repetitive. This album squashes those sentiments about the genre and expands upon what blues and soul sound like in the best possible way. The range of her vocal is remarkable, the growl of the phrasings send shivers down your back, and the manner in which she is able to instill feeling and meaning into each word is something special and distinct.
There are many voices in the world and in a society where we are inundated with so many of them, so many articles, or sounds, or stimuli that can take our attention and steal us away. Well, Julie Rhodes is a voice that should be heard and beholds the ability to command that attention. Check her out today.
Julie Rhodes celebrates the release of Bound To Meet The Devil this Friday at Thunder Road Music Club & Rock n’ Roll Bistro in Somerville with The Abbie Barrett Band, (then the following night at the Columbus Theatre with one of our favorites, Smith & Weeden…of yeah and both shows will feature The Silks. Rock n’ Roll.) Get on down and get out folks to see what everyone is talking about with this gal and that voice of hers.