Review: The Georgia Thunderbolts – Rise Above It All

Mascot Records (August 23^rd, 2024)

Reviewer: Grant Foster

The modern variant of Southern rock has many pretenders to the likes of Blackberry Smoke’s crown.

One of those is The Georgia Thunderbolts. Hailing from Georgia, naturally, the five piece have shared stages with most of their contemporaries. But does this, their second album, show they are up to the task?

Firstly, they sound like a Southern band should sound, but it’s a natural feel, not a manufactured one.

Vocalist TJ Lyle’s range gives them an added firepower but he never overplays the melody lines. The guitar work brings hints of Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet. The songs themselves are of a really high standard.

‘Rock and Roll Record’ in all its moody Bad Company stance.

The title track has a slight modern twist to it, ‘Wait’ is the summer acoustic guitar ballad you didn’t know you wanted until you heard it.

‘She’s Gonna Get It’ rocks straight from the kick drum introduction.

Of course a southern rock album wouldn’t be complete without a song with whiskey in the title. ‘Whiskey Talkin’ doesn’t let you down. Blackfoot influences all over this one.

The cover of Frankie Miller’s ‘Ain’t Got No Money’ is a joy.

What really stands out over all the tracks is the high quality melody lines of the vocals. And I thought Charlie Starr of BlackBerry Smoke had that nailed down!

The Georgia Thunderbolts aren’t reinventing the wheel. But by god, the wheel is rolling and with a great deal of class!

Tracklist:

1. Gonna Shine
2. Rock and Roll Record
3. Rise Above It All
4. Moonlight Play
5. Ain’t Got No Money
6. Wait
7. Crawling My Way Back To You
8. She’s Gonna Get It
9. Little Jim
10. It Ain’t Easy
11. Stand Up
12.  Whiskey Talkin’
13. Pricetag

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