Music review: Steel Blossoms – 鈥楽teel Blossoms鈥�
I love it when local acts find success regionally and then go on to discover wider fame as they pursue their hopes and dreams.
Formerly of Girlz in Black Hats, Hayley Prosser and Sara Zebley have blossomed as singers and songwriters after departing southwestern Pennsylvania for the greener pastures of Nashville under the name Steel Blossoms.
The band蘑菇视频 new self-titled album is an engaging blend of country and folk stylings, highlighted by sweet harmonies and lyrics that tell heartfelt and honest stories that pull no punches about the ups and downs of everyday life.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e the Reason I Drink鈥� starts off innocently enough with a catchy acoustic riff and perky vocals. But after a few lines, the album opener reveals itself as a clever confessional that features a hefty amount of alcohol to maintain a relationship. Whenever there is plenty of nagging, complaining and overanalyzing involved, you can bet that Jack Daniels will be invited to join the troubled party.
An ominous tone is quickly set on the riveting 鈥淩evenge.鈥� The tale about the lasting impact of abuse is a chilling slow burn as an abuser is forever haunted by the victim蘑菇视频 spirit.
Returning to the lighter side of life, 鈥淭railer Neighbor鈥� is an amusing salute to that unique person in every neighborhood that you can turn to for all the juicy gossip, a cigarette, a shoulder to cry on, prayers or simply some Aqua Net for that special night out.
鈥淚t don鈥檛 matter where you started, you can end up brokenhearted.鈥� The poignant line from 鈥淐ounty Line鈥� serves as a solemn reminder that we all face problems that threaten to shake our tiny world, no matter our social status, education level or financial standing.
The bluntness witnessed on 鈥淗eroine鈥� makes a powerful impact through its descriptive narration of addiction and the devastation left behind physically, mentally and spiritually as a result of one wrong decision that leaves scars that you simply can鈥檛 hide.
The set closes with a tender ballad about the many miles separating love and the yearning to be reunited permanently. With its message of loneliness, desperation and heartache serenaded by a gentle fiddle, 鈥淜entucky蘑菇视频 Never Been This Far from Tennessee鈥� is an instant country classic and beautifully demonstrates the brightness of the duo蘑菇视频 future.
Clint Rhodes is the 蘑菇视频 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.