By Anita Stewart, Managing Editor
New Album Review: “You Broke Me“ by Maple House Records
Release Date: May 13, 2022
One of Rock at Night’s favorites, Pittsburgh’s own Ghost Hounds continue to marvel us by always recording their albums with perfection–every song shows off what they can do! This is the band’s third studio album and they also have one live recording from 2021 so far. “You Broke Me” has nine power-packed tunes that we already have on repeat!
Dropping today, most of the songs are written and produced by guitarist Thomas Tull and songwriter and producer Kevin Bowe (Etta James, Paul Westerberg and the Replacements). The band shines with their expert musicianship and the charisma and vocals of their front man, Tre’ Nation.
“Being able to play the type of music that we want to hear always leads us back to the core of not only rock and roll, but music rooted in blues generally,” guitarist Johnny Baab says. “As a band, we’re always trading music between us and more often than not, the songs we’re sharing are these deep cuts from the beginning of recorded music as we know it. This record is exemplary of both of those things. We’ll all get in a room and cut the songs live and see how it fits for the band. We’ve got a few covers and a bunch of originals on this record born from that process – and can’t wait for you to hear them.”
Track List:
Baby We’re Through–a fast tempo break-up song! Using this as a highway driving song might just get you a speeding ticket! Vocals and guitar work are both stellar.
Smokestack Lightning (Howlin’ Wolf)–we previously reviewed this track, check it out by clicking HERE. Old style Southern blues complete with harmonica. An incredible cover of this song!
You Broke Me–blues rock with a slowed down tempo, honky-tonk keys and a wailing harmonica! The styling includes shades of early British blues-rock. Makes you so blue you want to cry in your beer while you sing along.
Willie Brown–this song has a great harmonica intro, driving percussion, a classic blues bass line, pounding piano, backing vocals and a super fast beat, this cut will get your toes tapping!
Through Being Blue Over You (Acoustic)–the unplugged arrangement of an original classic-sounding blues tune of love gone wrong with a poignant break up; great guitar work and Tre’s vocals shine.
Lonesome Graveyard–soft and brushing percussion, piano and acoustic guitar with Tre’s somber vocals, this is about as low down into the blues as you can get!
On Your Trail–fast tempo and great backing vocals on this cut! Blues rock guitar, keys, pounding drums and bass tell the story of being hunted down. Another highway driving song. Awesome piano and guitar outro.
Still You–a romantic slow and sexy blues song with wailing, sensuous lead guitar and lovesick lyrics.
Through Being Blue Over You–the electrified version of this original song; not sure which one I like best. Heavy on some incredible keys and lead guitar. Yes, more of this!
Rock at Night says:
“Absolutely one of my favorite blues-rock albums so far this year! Ghost Hounds has proven that they can slip back and forth between genres and sub-genres with ease. They make the recording and their performances look and sound easy and produce albums with songs that the listener will never get tired of–that takes pure talent. Seeing them live is highly recommended! Putting my lighter up for more!“
Next weekend, on May 21, the band will be taking part with other musical luminaries for their recording label’s very first music festival–the Maple House Music and Arts Festival taking place in Pittsburgh, PA. Scheduled to perform are some heavy hitters like Lake Street Dive, Jason Isbell, Elle King, Black Pumas, Eric Gales, Big Sam’s Funky Nation and many more. Get tickets and more info HERE. If you are from Western PA, don’t miss it!
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