Magnolia Bayou – Strange Place

Magnolia Bayou – Strange Place

I was introduced to this band a few years ago when I started following Bishop Gunn. I loved the bands self titled debut album plus they did a kick ass cover of my favorite Sabbath tune, Fairies Wear Boots. I was hooked. The guys in Magnolia Bayou hail from deep in the swamps of South Mississippi. The guys have put their time in, toured their ass off and supported many acts such as, Whiskey Myers, Ian Moore, Aaron Lewis, Bishop Gunn, and Black Stone Cherry.

I have been looking forward to the follow up to their debut, and to hold us over the guys did record a badass version of Alice in Chains’ Nutshell.

Now let’s talk new album shall we? I might have been a product of the 80’s and the big hair, but the early 70’s Rock is where it’s at. Sabbath, Deep Purple, the Stones, Zeppelin, Aerosmith and this album has that epic classic fuzzy sound. I fuckin’ love it. 

I was running behind writing this review because I had to crank this bad boy up in my house and take a few rides in the car with the windows down.

From the first riff of the opening track, “Dig Deep”, you are immediately in the groove. You feel like you have been taken to a smokey dive bar with a few empty beer cans, and bottle of Jack Daniels on the table while the band is jamming on the stage, as you order up another.  “Sugarspell” has a killer opening lick, and one mean guitar solo, that will have you wishing you could play that damn good. Things slow down a bit with “Hurricane”, but the lyrics and that groove it just gives you the feels man. 

The tune “Sweet Magnolia” gives me an Allman Brothers vibe, and once again you can’t go wrong with the Bros as an influence.  

11 tracks and not one bad song. It’s hard to find that in a band today, but these boys got something and Rock N Roll needs more bands like Magnolia Bayou. 

I am not sure how to put this other than this album has some fucking swagger. I know I’ve used the word groove quite a bit in this review too, but dammit it’s groovy! Kick ass! A must in the collection! However you want to say it, the album is out so just go buy the damn thing. 

1. Dig Deep
2. Sleepin’ in the Dog House
3. Sugarspell
4. Preachin’ Blues
5. Hands in the Dirt
6. From the Other Side
7. The Robber
8. Hurricane
9. Tupelo
10. Sweet Magnolia
11. Thieves

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