Rose Hill Drive – Moon is the New Earth

by John Linden in Album Reviews, New Releases, Reviews, bands to watch

In this Boulder, Colorado trio we have a strange case. They are a band who has radio-ready songs but is on an indie label. They are a band who are steeped in classic rock tradition but not bound by it. They are a band who, unlike most of their peers–if these boys even have true contemporaries–craft original, thoughtful songs and then play them like the bastard children of Cream and Led Zeppelin. Sign me up.

The band kicks things off with Sneak Out, the first single from the album and an absolute barnstormer of a track, all swirling guitars and rhythmic changes at the drop of a hat. The two Sproul brothers (Jacob on bass and vocals; Daniel on guitar) hold back on this song, and it makes the album even more of a joy to listen to. And while not perfect, this sophomore offering is very, very good. RHD manages to expand their sound immensely while maintaining a flow to the disc that makes it such a pleasure.

As anyone who has seen this band live can attest to, Daniel is that rare string-slinger who can make even the most jaded listener believe in that godawful term ‘guitar god’. Yes, he’s that good. And not in a holy-shit-Yngwie-slow-down-this-sounds-like-shit way. Being the lone axeman, he realizes playing a thousand notes per second just doesn’t do the same thing as filling out the sound. But don’t get me wrong; he can rip it up with the best of them. He just picks his moments and then blows the listener away. See My Light, a brilliant number calling to mind While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

The most exciting thing that comes with listening to this album is the sheer promise that seeps out every scintillating second. Nathan Barnes and the Brothers Sproul should be proud of this LP, but all the listener can think is: “If they grew this much from Album 1 to 2, what the hell is gonna happen next time?” And there is no answer yet. But when it comes, oh man, brace yourself because it’s gonna be one hell of a ride.