Wille & The Bandits - Salt Roots

Release Date: Out Now

Cornish rockers Wille & the Bandits have found themselves at the forefront of campaigning against the diabolical behaviour of water companies recently but both before and after that this an insanely talented live band with superb songs. Driven by the song writing of Wille Edwards, new album 'Salt Roots' gets underway with the stomping behemoth of 'Wheal Jane', a song that matches the sonic intensity of Audioslave with the sheer natural heft and pounding energy of the famous Cornish mine. Recent single 'Trouble Round The Bend' is what linked the band with the water cleanliness crisis but leaving all that to one side, its still a rip snorting rock trap with slathered organs, meaty hooks and a vocal snarl that oozes Edwards' distaste with status quo.

As you might expect, 'King Kong' is a huge tune with a nice bit of funk in the mix and a chest beating beat while 'Style Thing' is a pure baby-making music leaning heavy on the organs with the kind of riff that will have guitarists everywhere pulling their best stank faces. There's a mellower, beachier vibe to 'Take My Shoulder' with an acoustic strum and a softer vocal delivery that sings down through the ages with comfort and warmth in every note. The blues stomp of 'Know My Name' is born from the heartache of the plantations, fed through the stylings of Beck and given a 21st century spin by name checking fame hungry wretches like the Kardashians.

There's a definite theme of history on this album which continues on 'Sail Away (the Mayflower)', a song full of sadness and regret but also a sense of inevitability and the resignation of loving someone so much you have to set them free. The dirty grooves are back on 'Stand Up', more than a response to James' 'Sit Down' as it calls on people to be better and step in when needed in life but with a sexy soundtrack, natch. Penultimate track and former single 'Reina del Mar' brings the chilled Santana meets Beuna Vista Social Club vibes for a sunset cocktail bar jam that gets straight into your hips. The album finishes up on 'Homeward Bound', presumably inspired by the long trips back to Cornwall after the many, many live dates the band perform and although there is a certain weariness to the song there is also genuine affection and a love for home that nothing can quite replace. This is a stunning collection of songs that takes on a number of topics via a range of musical styles but all connected by the superb musicianship and song-writing that Wille & the Bandits always bring to the party.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/willieandthebandits.official

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WILLE & THE BANDITS - ALBUM REVIEW

Wille & The Bandits - Salt Roots