Shaw Davis & The Black Ties - Red Sun Rebellion (Album Review)

Florida based guitar slinger Shaw Davis and his band the Black Ties return with their third album Red Sun Rebellion.  The band revs up another set of progressive blues-tinged hard rock. The band continues to write and record at a level that is hard to come by in today's computer music world. The recording itself is well produced and will blitz your headphones. 

"Higher" is a grungy rocker that would fit perfectly on mainstream rock radio. Davis straddles the line between modern hard rock and blues and does so with a nod to the 90's. "Promised Land" is another power rocker that would be a nice radio follow up to "Higher". The guitar solos are all little mini acid trips. Davis is a great player who has no problem alternating between dirty hard rock and clean riffs like on "If I Stay This Way". The songwriting is original and top notch. The work of Jimi Hendrix and Robin Trower are certainly touchpoints for Shaw but there is no question that he makes his own way and has created a guitar sound all his own. 

"Black Flagged" could be titled "Black Pilled" as Davis writes about strife and discontent. Lots of tasty fills and solos on this burner. Bassist Patrick Stevenson shines brightly on "Black Flagged". Adding that 90's flair is drummer Bobby Van Stone who crushes the kit from beginning to end. 

The band lightens up for the pop-blues-rocker "Straight Ahead". A tad more soul oriented, the track is radio ready for the right program director. "Rock Me Baby" takes a page from the old Bad Company playbook but with more growl. All nine tracks make for a complete vintage blues meets acid grunge rock experience. If you are looking for some blistering roots music to crank up real loud, you've found your album.

Album Rating 9.8