Album Review: These Wicked Rivers – Fire & Folklore

Fat Earth Records – October 2^nd 2026

Reviewer – David Brighouse

This is the third album from the Derbyshire “wizard-blues” rockers. Recorded in their hometown of Belper at the home studio of Grammy-winning producer Andy Sneap, who along with Colin Richardson has helped them create their most accomplished record to date. Introducing new elements of southern rock and country to their blues-rock sound, the albums’ title reflects the strong traditional storytelling that has always been a feature of their music.

Album opener ‘The Healing’ begins with acappella vocals before the main groove kicks in, an almost evangelical song that references baptism to signify a new beginning and leaving behind a bad past, a promising start with Arran Day producing some outstanding guitar playing. ‘Horse To Water‘ is about the impact of addiction and how a person has to want to change before they can be helped, influenced by the Allman Brothers it features impressive vocal harmonies coupled with deft instrumental interplay. Lead single ‘Ain’t No Smoke‘ is about trust and betrayal, with the song having peaks and troughs and takes the listener on a real sonic journey.

‘Love To Love‘ is a powerful song that gently grows, building from the harmonica at the beginning via the guitar solo to the finishing instrumental crescendo. In contrast current single ‘Sing Another Song‘ is an acoustic based song which features the guest vocal of UK Country star Kezia Gill and focuses on their lives as musicians on the road and the community of musicians and fans. The opening riff to ‘Rise‘ is almost like a warning siren signalling the end of the world, the longest and heaviest track on the album is a real powerhouse, calling for revolution to unite the people against discord. Conversely ‘Brother Oh Brother‘ is the shortest track and its stripped-back first minute has a traditional folk song feel both musically and lyrically with its tale of a fighting man, before the guitar solo takes it to another level for the closing passage.

I would describe ‘Better Man‘ as an anthemic ballad with great orchestration and a powerful message. The guitar playing in ‘Woodland Queen‘ gives a distinct southern rock feel to a story of an elusive mystical lady of the forest. Closing number ‘Stories‘ perfectly encapsulates what the album is all about, using storytelling to impart knowledge and also to keep memories and communities together and alive.

I try to remain objective when reviewing any album, but I just love these guys and have done so for many years. The songwriting is strong, the album shows growth and has variety but is true to the bands roots and I think that overall it is brilliant. I’m confident that anyone who likes the band will agree and I want everybody else to give it a listen so they can discover what a great band they are.

Track List:

1. The Healing
2. Horse To Water
3. Ain’t No Smoke
4. Love To Love
5. Sing Another Song (feat Kezia Gill)
6. Rise
7. Brother Oh Brother
8. Better Man
9. Woodland Queen
10. Stories

Line-up:

John Hartwell – Lead Vocals & Guitar

Arran Day – Lead Guitar

Rich Wilson – Keyboards / Guitar / Harmonica, Backing Vocals

Adam Brewell – Bass, Backing Vocals

Dan Southall – Drums, Backing Vocals

Web Links:

Official Website

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