Review | The Georgia Thunderbolts – Rise Above It All

Mascot Records / MLG

The second album by the Georgia southern rockers The Georgia Thunderbolts is pretty special if you ask me. Some three years ago they released their first full album ‘Can We Get A Witness’ right in the middle of the pandemic. It limited their options to tour but as soon as the coast was clear singer TJ Lyle, the guitarists Logan Tolbert and Riley Couzzourt, bass player Zach Everett and drummer Bristol Perry jumped in the bus and built up the necessary road experience touring with bands like The Marshal Tucker Band, Blackberry Smoke and, also played in Europe supporting their label mates of Black Stone Cherry.  That has most likely led to Chris Robertson and John Fred Young of Black Stone Cherry making a guest appearance on this new record.

FLIRTING

That experience and playing with all these different bands has changed the style of this band a little bit. Next to good old southern rock ‘Rise Above It All’ has several other musical flavours. You will find the band flirting on this album with slight country, Americana, blues, and heavy rock elements. It has given this album a variation that is almost second to none. The boys bring their performance full of energy but most of all their music is drenched with emotion.

It is astonishing to hear how these guys have developed in the last three years. Adding new hope that now the southern rock genre is on the backburner we can hopefully see a new and young flagbearer next to oldies such as Molly Hatchet and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Mind you, on this album TJ Lyle and his lads show a musical maturity that took other bands years to build.

HERE, THERE AND BACK

This record takes you here, there, and back. It covers the traditional southern rock style but the sound and production are very modern. Lyle is the perfect storyteller, with a certain Ronnie Van Zant as clear inspiration. Clint Eastwood said in one of his moves playing Dirt Harry: ‘A man has got to know his limitations’. TJ Lyle knows his and is the perfect cheerleader for this rocking orchestra. Go with this band on an intriguing musical trip where several styles and flavours go hand in hand like it is the most natural thing for these musicians. Whether it is the country flavoured opener ,,Gonna Shine’’, the intense rocker ,,Rock And Roll Record’’ or the hard rocking killer track ,,Pricetag’’, they are in total control.

THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS – THE CONCLUSION

In only three years this band has completely matured and found a musical mix that comes naturally. It is played with enthusiasm and above all the displayed emotions in the vocals and the music are touching and mesmerizing. It does not matter to them if they play their own songs or a Frankie Miller song (,,Ain’t Got No Money’’) because it all sounds natural.

I am pretty sure that Mascot Records realises that with The Georgia Thunderbolts they have gold in their hands. It will be interesting to see where record boss Ed van Zijl and his staff will be able to take this band in the foreseeable future. In the meantime, fans of the southern rock genre who do not mind a bit of flirting with genres that are more or less ‘family’ as well, should do themselves a large favour and lend an ear or two to this record. This is a diamond in the rough!

Release date: 23 August 2024