Battle Ready is a slow-burning track that sneaks up on you as you listen through. There’s a dark narrative lurking behind the beauty of the arrangement. Tuneful and tastefully produced, that all makes it classic country, in a nutshell!
Country Rock
The leading vocal is notably accessible, that boy-next-door tone intrigues during the verses, then peaks with superb passion and vibrancy for the chorus, and meanwhile the instrumentation continues to weave an upbeat and musically satisfying web around listeners.
There is no question of a lead vocal performance being copied and pasted into position here, the variety of takes between the repeated patterns is as organic and fresh as you like, giving the song a living, beating heart to focus on. Smooth.
Americana in a reasonably gentle set of colours here (despite the subject matter), as Josef McManus’ White Owl Red sets out its stall with a careful political agenda: ‘Just tryin’ to make things a little better’. A rolling and tuneful backing track lends authentic support to the softly-sung thoughts about the undisputed horrors caused by … Continued
In a timeless production that feels simultaneously classic and contemporary, there are plenty of hooks in the melody and backing vocal arrangement to make the insistent motifs memorable.
I did some research on Padana and he has an incredible backstory which makes this album’s achievements even more remarkable than I impart here, but you should check that out for yourselves, as it shouldn’t detract from what the music (notably) delivers alone.
Dave’s voice has the right level of gravitas and directness to deliver stories, and a sweet and gentle vibrato that ends phrases with a tidy elan. I’d like to wheel out the phrase ‘labour of love’ to describe the collection at this point. It’s just superb!
It’s warm, fuzzy and comforting as well as accomplished and tuneful. It’s rare to find a song that wears its influences and target so plainly upon its sleeve – it’s a totally refreshing experience.
Unscathed? I doubt it. We all get a little battered along the way. Here’s a grown-up collection of songs to dip into to accompany us on the ultimate journey…
The energy of the song rises up slowly but in a rhythmically entrancing manner, seeming to wash over you like a wave, the bigger moments crashing into action before the sound drags back out to sea – leaving you with only that whisper of an idea.
“We are all family men, as in family is our biggest priority. We all have people that stand in this world alongside us, love us, and depend on us.”
All in all, considering the concept, the musical set-up, the melodic development, and the performances, Put You Down Tomorrow is superb – a brilliant song with a well-rooted and genuine sentiment. It’s absolutely no surprise this release is doing so well across the airwaves.