Back To The Rhythm

Shrapnel

L.A.’s premiere blues rock outfit Great White have steadily built an astonishing career legacy for more than twenty years now. Despite having faced more than their fair share of tragic occurrences they have stood the test of time and overcome adversity in unfathomable circumstances. Their most recent release Back to The Rhythm finds the guys reunited with all original members and dishing out their trade mark variety of Stones and Zeppelin influenced rock at a magnitude reading of 10 on the Richter Scale.

Back To The Rhythm marks the first set of all original tunes since to be presented by the band since 1999’s Can’t Get There From Here. Following the close of that tour the band saw a revolving door of members since that including their fallen brother and guitarist Ty Longley who was killed in the Rhode Island nightclub fire where the band were playing. After nearly a decade the classic line up of Jack Russell, Mark Kendall, Michael Lardie and Audie Desbrow with bassist Sean McNabb who joined the band in 1996 have reconvened to deliver another chapter in this timeless bands sound. Filled with triumph and tragedy, loss and gain, pain and anguish (“Was It The Night”, “Cold World”, “”How Far Is Heaven”), Back To The Rhythm has many stories to tell and as always succeeds in touching the listener on a truly absorbed level to which we all can relate in one form or another. Just check out the closing track “Just Yesterday” and you’ll understand exactly what I’m speaking of. No doubt there is some deep seeded emotion poured into these songs but while there are some definite downer moments found here the guys balance it out nicely with positive rockers like the title track and the tremendously praise worthy “I’m Alive”.

Out of all the bands that emerged during the 80’s heyday, Great White are definitely one of my very favorites. Their music is and always has been so blatantly down to earth and extremely full of life. Back To The Rhythm was produced by guitarist Michael Lardie and features guest writing contributions from Jack Blades (Night Ranger).  To sum it all up the CD is a genuine reflection of the band at their best, doing what they love to do and will make a pleasantly enjoyable addition to every fans collection.

-Priest