Country-Influenced Rock

Musician Tyler Bryant’s new band Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown brings great rock and roll music with their self-titled album Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown. The group consists of Bryant on lead vocals and guitar, Graham Whitford on guitar, Noah Denney on bass and Caleb Crosby on drums. Their sound can be described as bluesy hard rock while exemplifying Bryant’s country background. Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown is a great album, as each song is unique while retaining the raw rock sound that the band is aiming for.

“Heartland” starts off the album with some traditional hard rock. The guitar is impressive, and Bryant’s voice croons the lyrics of desperation and disillusionment. “When will we turn around / when will we turn around / the water’s going to rise / and wash away what’s left of us.” It’s a song about the inevitable fall of humanity. The second song on the album “Don’t Mind The Blood” on the other hand is more country influenced and is filled with anger and scorn. “Who are you to think I’d play your game / can’t make me a number without a name.” Both songs have unique sounds but fit effortlessly together, showing the fluidity of the band beautifully.

Another more hard rock song on the album is “Backfire.” It starts off with a powerful guitar riff, and message “one of these days it’s going to backfire.” Whether about scorned love or finding freedom from any figure of power, it’s a message that anyone could relate to. The next song on the album, “Ramblin’ Bones” is very different, with a folk song style to it. It tells a story, through both the lyrics and the mainly acoustic music. Bryant’s voice is suited perfectly for the country folk style that he sings in this song, as he reached impressive notes. Though the album as a whole has a country influence to it, “Ramblin’ Bones” stands out, as it’s a beautiful cross of genre.

Some other notable songs off of Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown are “Easy Target,” “Magnetic Field” and the final song, “Into The Black.” Like every song on this album, each of these songs is incredibly unique. “Easy Target” goes the traditional hard rock route, while “Magnetic Field” has a ’60s feeling to it, and “Into The Black” closes off the album with it’s slower, somewhat depressing sound. “Magnetic Field” stands out the most, as it creates a psychedelic like sound, with the acoustic guitar and airy vocals. This song could have been a great choice to end the album, as it seems to capture all of the different sounds and styles that the band uses throughout the album. However, “Into The Black” is also a great song that will surely be memorable for listeners.

Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown have done an excellent job with their second album. It takes aspects of the hard rock genre, while also using Bryant’s country background so as to create catchy and talented music. Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown can be purchased now, and the band will be touring the U.S. in the spring.