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The Record Company branch out on Play Loud with mixed results
Bluesy Californians’ The Record Company try to broaden their appeal on third album Play Loud
On their first two albums, Los Angeles trio The Record Company successfully built a sound around earthy, bluesy rock. Now, they clearly feel the need to branch out.
This more diverse third album both benefits and suffers from the input of chart songwriters for hire, with radio-friendly hooks offset by a rock’n’soul sound a little too slick to suit them on the INXS-like Never Leave You.
They fare better crunching the slide-guitar gravel on Gotta Be Movin’ and Awake, while Paradise is an impressive power ballad.
Elsewhere, the anthemic feel of Live As One and Midnight Moon seem tailormade for festival singalongs, offering immediacy even if at times it’s at the expense of some of their old down-home grunt.
Source: loudersound.com
