ALBUM REVIEW: “Slowly but Shirley” by Soul Asylum
Perhaps best known for their 1993 hit single Runaway Train which won a Grammy for Best Rock Song, Soul Asylum were formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Originally called Loud Fast Rules, they changed their name to Soul Asylum in 1983. They released their debut album “Say What You Will Clarence… Karl Sold the Truck” in 1994. The album “Grave Dancers Union” (1992) went triple platinum and they even played at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton.
They achieved their second platinum album in 1996 with “Let Your Dim Light Shine” and have gone on to release twelve studio albums up to 2020’s “Hurry Up and Wait”.
Like many others, Soul Asylum have endured tragedy, with the loss of founding member Karl Mueller in 2005, but vocalist and singer Dave Pirner but continues with a strong line up, adding Michael Bland (drums), Ryan Smith (guitar), and most recently Jeremy Tappero (bass).
Well, they’re back and 2024 sees the release of their new album “Slowly but Shirley”.
The new album is available in digital form this Friday (27 September) and is then released on vinyl/CD on 26th October on Blue Élan Records, and can be pre-ordered HERE.
The new album continues in their traditional style of guitar focused US rock. This new release is no different, but has a great mix of styles, including some great classic rock tracks and country infused bluesy rock. There’s also the slowed down rock ballad styling of You Don’t Know Me in the mix too.
The first single from the album High Road is a wonderful bright fast paced rocker with a great tom beat you have to tap along to, one that will be a great addition to the live set. The second single Freak Accident is a great example of laid back, country style melody, the kind of song to sit back, close your eyes and immerse yourself in.
Check out the official video for Freak Accident below:
Tracks such as Waiting On The Lord, Trail By Fire, and Sucker Maker are great examples of Soul Asylums roots, set in speedy crisp guitar riffs, drama and intensity in abumdance. Whereas, elsewhere in the tracklist, If You Want Me Back has a different vibe altogether, at times almost making me think of Green Day’s “American Idiot” perhaps in sections of the vocal delivery. It’s great stuff ! and “Trial by Fire.”
The highlight for me is the final track High & Dry about floating away in flood waters dreaming of being high & dry. The guitar licks are sublime, especially in the breakdowns and the whole southern rock vibe is spot on.
Thirty years after their Grammy winning album “Grave Dancers Union” Soul Asylum continue to write and perform great music and that original remains evident here, but the lineup changes and time have led to a change of pace and style, adding a new and exciting dimension to their work.
A great listen, punchy and yet relaxing - an album well worth checking out and well worth an 8.5/10
“Slowly but Shirley” is out in digital format this Friday (27 September) and and in physical form on 26th October on Blue Élan Records and can be pre-ordered HERE.
