by Brian D. Holland.

Back Door Slam released Roll Away about a year ago. That said, the problem with new rock music, especially material reminiscent of a classic '70s sound, is that it’s lucky to get any recognition at all these days. Though this one almost slipped by me, a friend and colleague informed me of it about a month ago, and I must say, I’m truly grateful to have been alerted to it.

Labeling rock music as ‘classic,’ or ‘70s’ in style, can give people the wrong impression at times, because those definitions are often synonymous with old-fashioned, or even passé. The thing is, classic rock has become a genre of its own over the past few years, and much of the music put into that category is as innovative and contemporary as '70s rock music was and still is. Moreover, although it possesses the energy aspect of classic rock, it’s always extremely melodic, an attribute that’s often lacking in today’s rock. Most of all, the musicianship really kicks ass, with guitar playing that’s abundant in addictive licks, interesting chord arrangements, and soaring lead solos.

Roll Away is all that and more.

Back Door Slam (named for the Robert Cray classic) hails from the Isle of Man, an interesting little island in the UK that many people don’t know much about, unless you’re from that neck of the woods, of course. But the tiny island in the middle of the Irish Sea that was once home to the likes of the Bee Gees and the Mayflower's Captain Myles Standish is also home to Davy Knowles (vocals, lead guitar, mandolin, lap steel), Ross Doyle (drums) and Adam Jones (bass), a fabulous rock trio known as Back Door Slam.

Their debut album, Roll Away is eleven exhilarating and melodious songs, all composed by Davy Knowles, the band’s talented lead guitarist and vocalist (all except for an excellent cover of Blind Joe Reynolds’ “Outside Woman Blues”). Though much of the music falls easily into that classic category, or what some would merely call "rock," a few are quite bluesy as well. On the whole, there’s a fine mixture of rock and blues-rock on the album, all executed very tastefully and professionally. Fans of good ol' rock music in general, especially those who have a tendency to think that they don’t make music like this anymore, will be awestruck by the quality and the diversity of the songs on Roll Away. Don’t let this one pass you by. It’s an excellent rock album by a talented rock band.

Roll Away Track Listing
1. Come Home
2. Heavy On My Mind
3. Outside Woman Blues
4. Gotta Leave
5. Stay
6. Too Late
7. Takes A Real Man
8. It’ll All Come Around
9. Too Good For Me
10. Roll Away
11. Real Man

Blix Street Records

Links:
Back Door Slam
Roll Away on Amazon