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Tyler Porch Band: Only The Sky Knows (EP)
Tyler Porch Band - Only The Sky Knows EP CD Album Review

Tyler Porch Band: Only The Sky Knows

Melodic Blues Rock
4.0/5.0

Website Facebook YouTube
Unsigned/Self-released
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 15.12.2014

While blues music is not strictly limited to the South, the roots of it are traced there. One thinks of Memphis or Austin, but also Atlanta the base for the Tyler Porch Band. It's a proverbial power trio fronted by the aspiring bluesmeister, vocalist and guitarist, Tyler Porch. He's backed by Brad Kemp on bass and Joey Robertson on drums. Only The Sky Knows is their first recording, a six song EP.

Tyler Porch Band Only The Sky Knows EP Band Photo

Tyler Porch

From the start, Porch has some talent on six string. He's licks echo every body from Buddy Guy to Stevie Ray Vaughn, and listening to Voodoo Chili, a penchant for Jimi Hendrix. He can go from some slender moves as with the title cut or lay down some heavy raucous riffs as with the Who I Am. He's not a bad vocalist either. Porch has a smooth, sometimes soulful delivery, often in the same song as found within Jess, likely the song with the most 'pop' fell to it. All these things are wrapped up in so solid songwriting. Sure he's got the meld of blues and rock guitar, but essentially as an element of the song. And there's some variety to the sound of each song. Often the whole blues rock guitar band can be monotonous and predictable. Not so much with Porch and company. It's probably good they stuck to a six song EP, rather than boring the shit out of us with over-indulgence.

The Kemp Robertson rhythm is quite the foil to Porch's wunderkind youthfulness, keeping the groove tight and steady. Perhaps of equal significance to the players and the music is the production, or lack there of. That's to say that the trio approached recording in the most skinny DIY way, eschewing the grandiosity of a larger or formal studio for bedroom and basement. The result is effective and clean, with clarity allowing every player to shine. You'll catch this across every song, but note the clarity of the bass line within My Love. In the end, Only The Sky Knows is solid, creative, and entertaining blues rock from a tight band and a guitarist on the 'one to watch' list. Recommended.

Voodoo Chile Tyler Porch Band LIVE@120 Tavern


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In Short

Tyler Porch Band's Only The Sky Knows is solid, creative, and entertaining blues rock from a tight band and a guitarist on the 'one to watch' list. Recommended.

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