Wolves by Raleigh’s American Aquarium (a.k.a. singer/songwriter BJ Barham) is a bold and introspective album about southern blue collar struggles, sacrifice, addiction, getting old, big dreams and fear of failure. Since 2012’s breakthrough Burn. Flicker. Die., the band – Ryan Johnson and Colin Dimeo (guitar), Bill Corbin (bass), Kevin McClain (drums) and Whit Wright (keyboard, pedal-steel) – has solidified and it shows. Produced by Brad Cook (Megafaun), this collection possess a more expansive sound that draws from other roots music and Springsteen-esque rock n’ roll as opposed to the gritty fervent straight-up alt. country of their debut. Highlights include: the somber opener “Family Problems”; the introspective “Losing Side of Twenty-Five”; the regretful “Man I’m Supposed To Be”; the blue collar lament “Wichita Falls”; and the soulful title track. American Aquarium has put out a number of quality releases but Wolves takes things to another level, and I look forward to seeing where they go next. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Drive-by Truckers, Steve Earle, Glossary, Jason Isbell, Chris Knight, Lucero, Son Volt