(Journeyman Records)

The very definition of prolific, blink an eye and another album pops out of Robert Jon & The Wreck’s creative production line. Or so it seems. Furthermore, they maintain their high bar of producing albums that grab a growing following’s attention with their hooks, lyrical lines and riffs that sink into the sublime. They have done so again on Red Moon Rising. Robert Jon Burrison’s sunny side up vocal is on form over the Wreck’s killer grooves. Opener Stone Cold Killer epitomises this as Henry James Schneekluth’s guitar revs up as he burns high octane fretwork also on subsequent stomper, Trouble.

The ominous tale of the compelling title track possesses a deep rhythmic detail that is felt in the gut and the foot. Unintentionally, or not, there’s a bit of a Black Crowes feel to the essence of some of the tracks especially to be found on a swaggering Hold On. Moreover, Worried Mind more than ably fulfils the Country Rock ballad remit, and a moody Give Love ups the tempo a bit with slinky piano and twin guitar harmony motifs. Overall, there’s nothing that deviates from their previous works on this entertaining progression of Southern Rock vibes from this seasoned Southern California band and that’s how we like it.

Paul Davies