Former Whitecross guitarist changes direction
Records don't get more American than this: Christian rock/metal guitarist searches for new sound, and ironically finds it in Southern rock and blues. No crossroads required. His name may not be a household one in the UK, but in the US of A former Whitecross guitarist Rex Carroll is an established virtuoso. The aptly-named "That Was Then, This Is Now" charts Carroll's crossover from 80s metaller to his childhood love of 70s American rock, and there is no better showcase for his blazing riffs and lightning-fast licks.
It's hard to believe people can still make records in the natural style of the Allman Brothers or Skynyrd, but Carroll has managed it with some unique twists of his own. One such divergence is the shredathon that is the instrumental 'Foolsgold', a blinding sideline in how noodling should be done without turning into a bit of public self-love.
'Find A Way' is a straightforward Southern bit of pop-rock compared to the rest of the album. It's an instant hit but doesn't cover much new territory, much like 'Circle of Love' and 'Walk a Mile'. Carroll specialises in anthemic choruses that lift the power-trio format to the next level and gives it that timeless feeling. Things get heavier with the down an' dirty 'Working Man's Blues', a scorching bar anthem that would give George Thorogood a run for his money. 'Rock My World' is slower crossover track that almost counts as a ballad, but retains its heavy edge.
For anyone who isn't already a fan of the genre there's a lot here to consider 'filler': instantly enjoyable but sadly unmemorable without a good few plays. 'Witch Dr Bones' is a stripped-back straight blues-rock track but you can only ever remember the title. 'Delta Memories' is a faster feelgood one-for-the-road, and highlights Carroll's raspy vocals that are pitch-perfect for this genre. 'My Train' is their 'Tuesday's Gone', a tad kitsch for my taste but a classic lighters-in-the-air moment (I suppose that would be cellphones these days.) And you couldn't finish on a better metal-tinged belter than 'Throw Them Bonz'.
There's enough of a mix of genres to keep both traditionalists and casual listeners entertained, but a whole album of it might be a bit hardcore for newcomers to blues-rock. Above all, it sounds like it was fun to make. It should be compulsory listening for all blues guitarists today for Carroll's unusual techniques and phrasing. So... maybe they do make 'em like they used to.