Gorilla Riot - 'Salvation'

Continuing with the chilled, top down on the open road feel is title track Salvation, utilising warm Hammond organs in a way reminiscent of Deep Purple’s John Lord. The chorus is extremely catchy and perfect for a swing on a lazy sunny afternoon. The call-and-response styling of vocals present can be found throughout the record, adding to its grandiosity and musical dynamics. The band use bright open and seventh chords in the rhythm, with crunchy lead throughout, including in songs like Wrong Side of Town, with slower ballads like Wait On showing influence from the likes of Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell in vocal timbre and the B Side to Pearl Jam’s 10 album in terms of overall tone. Something for thousands of hippies in a field to raise their Zippos to in synchronicity!

The lead guitar work is reserved and minimalist, but carefully utilised. Every note is perfectly placed, with none too many thrown in to suit the ego of the player, as can often be found in so many modern rock records. In many places, such as in Over You, it can be heard mirroring or accenting lead vocals or playing off in a call-and-response manner, similar to what can be found in many Jimi Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughan records. The whole album teems with 60s and 70s influence, but the modern production allows it to stand up to modern recordings second-to-none, blending together the best of both eras.

Arjun’s whiskey-soaked raggedy vocals on songs like Over You and Blush truly bring the album home. In terms of flow, its diversity of sound, musical dynamics and, most importantly, the emotional journey across the needle, Salvation truly has everything you could want from a record of this style.