by Brian D. Holland.

Walter Trout explodes into bluesrock rebellion on his 2008 CD, The Outsider (Megaforce Records), in a way fans crave from the radical who states, “The blues shouldn’t be a museum. It should expand and be alive.” Not only is the new album abundant in that approach, it also has a rebel rouser theme throughout, one that anyone who has ever been on the outside of authority and power can ardently relate to.

Ain’t that the blues?

Solid musicianship very much a factor, Walter sings and plays acoustic and Strat with James “Hutch” Hutchinson on bass, Kenny Aronoff on dums and Sammy Avila on Hammond B3. Other contributors include Skip Edwards on accordion and B3, Jason Ricci on harmonica, Jon Cleary on piano, and producer John Porter on acoustic guitar and bass. Together, they drive a tight and tasteful groove through 13 intoxicating blues, rock, country, and acoustic numbers.

“Welcome To The Human Race,” a hard driving bluesrocker highlighted by Walter’s passionate vocal strength and scorching lead work, opens the album. It’s certainly a great start to that rebel theme. As the lyrics state, “I’ve been loved and I’ve been hated. I’ve been praised and vilified. I’ve been accused and vindicated. And pressure’s been applied.” It all leads up to the pragmatic theory that people make mistakes and that it’s only human to do so: “And when I find myself in a cold and empty space, a little voice inside me says: 'Welcome to the human race'.”

“The Next Big Thing” is a blues rocker with a strong country tone. Lyrically, Walter links the new hotshot guitar playing character to a gunslinger, saying, “He’s gonna be the next big thing until the next big thing comes along.” He gets into some interesting phrasing and chops on both acoustic and electric guitar here.

Listen to "The Next Big Thing" from The Outsider

A brilliant acoustic ballad, Skip Edwards adds pleasant accordion accompaniment to “All My Life”. Next is “The Love Song Of J. Alfred Bluesrock,” a driving strut about the demons of addiction and feeling sorry for one’s self.

Besides the identifiable Walter Trout bluesrock sound, there are a few incredible clear-cut rockers on The Outsider, all very classic rock in essence. “Don’t Wanna Fall” is a soulful rocker, one that builds up until reaching a powerful chorus. “Child Of Another Day” is another soulful rocker about the hardships of a war veteran, one who’s lost his place in a life he can no longer relate to. “The Restless Age” rocks along in a funky Stones-like atmosphere.

A few mellow ballads contribute to the fullness of the album, too. “Turn Your Eyes To Heaven” is a bluesy acoustic folk tune concerned with religion and false self-righteousness, while “A Matter Of The Heart” moves along in a country element. “The Outsider” closes the album, taking the listener down a persuasive 12-bar, slow blues groove. Walter soars, screeches, and screams lead guitar fluency in this one, making it a closer to remember.

Walter Trout proves once again that although he’s a brilliant blues musician, one who once shared the stage with John Mayall, he loves to rock the blues up. His guitar playing is fluent and tasteful, and his original songs shine with validity and inspiration. If there’s ever an album to appease the bluesrock purists (if they exist at all), then The Outsider is it.

The Outsider Track Listing

1. Welcome To The Human Race
2. The Next Best Thing
3. All My Life
4. The Love Song Of J. Alfred Bluesrock
5. Don’t Wanna Fall
6. Child Of Another Day
7. Turn Your Eyes To Heaven
8. The Restless Age
9. Gone Too Long
10. A Matter Of The Heart
11. Can’t Have It All
12. Sanjay
13. The Outsider

All songs written by Walter Trout, except “The Outsider” – Walter Trout/Rick Knapp

Copyright 2008 – Mascot Music Productions & Publishing BV

Links:
Walter Trout
Walter Trout Interview (2006)
Purchase The Outsider on Amazon