Second solo album from acclaimed singer-songwriter Myles Kennedy is one for the ages, and a must-have record for rock/blues music fans around the world.
By Bryan Ahearn
The discovery of gold on Earth took 200 billion years.
It took Myles Kennedy less than a year to record a rock and roll album of equally stunning brilliance.
The resulting element? Sonic gold that should be in every Album Of The Year conversation.
Enter The Ides Of March (released May 14, 2021), the latest solo offering from singer-songwriter Myles Kennedy—a considerably more electric guitar-rooted album than his acoustic guitar-influenced solo debut, Year Of The Tiger (2018).
In his sophomoric release, Ides further brings about the adventurous exploration of Kennedy’s deep, and seemingly limitless, songwriting acumen.
Combined with honest lyrics that add just enough realism to their “keep calm, carry on” undertones, and you have an album that owes to Myles Kennedy’s authenticity as a human first, and an artist second—albeit a supremely gifted (and very humble) artist at that.
With this album, Myles Kennedy deserves mention alongside Bruce Springsteen and Chris Cornell as one of the most important American songwriters in years.
In writing The Ides Of March, Myles Kennedy somehow, in the midst of a heart-wrenching pandemic, managed to craft a distinctive album that at once embodies our collective heartache, resolve and yes, even triumph, like no other album few of us have ever experienced before.
This album is that rare.
Such is the alchemy of Myles Kennedy: Taking a grim period of uncertainty and isolation in 2020, and transforming it into a timeless, 51-minute, 11 song gem-of-an-album.
And in doing so, Myles Kennedy’s project of isolation blossomed into one of hope and realism, bringing joy to thousands around the world, overseas and across borders, at a time when it may be needed the most.
“On behalf of Myles Kennedy Junkies, I’d like to say that this album is a true masterpiece. The raw, authentic sound and message that was captured is outstanding. Absolutely brilliant!”
Alexa Fatum, Canada 🇨🇦 (Alexa is the daughter of the late Jamie Nolan, much beloved founder of the Myles Kennedy Junkies FB fan page.)
“Best album of the year.”
Jason Adams, USA 🇺🇸
“Been playing non-stop and gets better with every listen! Magically written and an immersive album from start to finish.”
James Witheridge, UK 🇬🇧
“The song ‘Love Rain Down’ is exquisite. The melody is so moving and stirring right in my core.”
Aileen Schiffman Lyons, USA 🇺🇸
“Myles Kennedy is a genius when it comes to lyrics. So beautifully written.”
Joshua Reeves, UK 🇬🇧
“I just heard ‘Worried Mind.’ I smiled as he (Myles) started singing, and kept smiling the whole song.”
Kathleen Hardy, USA 🇺🇸
Quotes used by permission of owners.Courtesy Janus Music Mgmt. Used with permission.
Behold, The Ides Of March.
To be sure, Ides Of March is unmistakably a rock genre treasure trove, infused with driving guitar rhythms and soulful lap steel guitar blues, accentuated by poetic lyricism across a vocal airshow.
Accompanied masterfully by Zia Uddin (percussion) and Tim Tournier (bass), and expertly crafted by reknown producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette, Ides is a refreshing wanderlust through the world of guitars—the perfect landscape for Kennedy’s soaring and diving vocals and thoughtfully constructed lyrics.
The album starts off powerfully with “Get Along,” a cautionary anthem complete with a triumphantly layered chorus of “Why can’t we all just get along,” followed by “A Thousand Words,” which enters with brightly strummed acoustics and is punctuated throughout by the creative, start-stop drumming of Zia Uddin—before Kennedy closes diminutively “In times like this, we must live and learn.”
Such is the theme of the album—one of growth and perseverance—as is echeoed throughout “In Stride,” the first single from the album, as it chugs and slides its way through guitar lines dirty enough to leave listeners wiping mud off their speakers, a mood underscored by the growling bass lines of close friend and manager Tim Tournier. “It ain’t no crime to behold a little beauty sometimes,” Kennedy contends throughout the chorus.
And contend this album should—for album of the year.
Delicate tracks such as the title track “The Ides of March,” and “Love Rain Down” showcase Kennedy’s daft ability to craft vast soundscapes, ranging from the Spanish guitar influences within “Ides,” to the shimmery “Love Rain Down” with its sparkly guitar picking and gleamingly soft chorus adding extra glisten to Kennedy’s already-stellar lyric passages:
There’s a thirst inside of me I can’t control
There’s a desert underneath that cracks my bones
There’s a river that runs dry within my heart
There’s a distance to your light that seems too far
“Love Rain Down”
To my ear, Myles Kennedy may be at his solo best during the album’s quieter moments, but his capacity to go from 0-60 in no-seconds-flat (and absolutely flawlessly), sets him apart as a generational talent, not to mention songwriter.
As showcased mightily on “Tell It Like It Is,” Myles wrote an anthem begging to get played lakeside, with its soaring, Joe Walsh-esqe guitar-leads nestled perfectly between hand clap/foot stomp laden verses. But despite it’s playful-sounding undertones, Kennedy isn’t kidding around about the song’s leanings (and possibly about the last 12 months):
Johnny come lately
Step aside
You had your fun
Now say goodbye
Let the people take the wheel
It’s time to let the grown ups drive
“Tell It Like It Is”
Indeed, this album in its entirety is Kennedy’s turn to drive, and that he does just that—to far and away places, such as on “Moonshot” is a introspective slide guitar slowburn that culminates into a courageous-sounding chorus.
However my favorite exploration of the album’s sonic resonance occurs during “Wanderlust” which evokes a homebound, traveler’s romance through fluttering bongos (Mexico?), laid-back slack key guitar (Hawaii?) and layered vocals (oh geez, outer space??) –everything I need to stare carefree out the window in planning my next trip…to wherever.
We can head down to the border
We can sink into the sea
Behind the mystery of every waking dream
Is a constant craving to be free
“Wanderlust Begins”
The Ides Of March blends everything an already accomplished Myles Kennedy does so well–from his acoustical solo album offerings, to the lead-guitar-driven motifs of Slash (Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators), and to the anthemic bridge transitions of Alter Bridge. Song after song, Ides delivers more than enough punch to pique the interest of fans of rock, blues, country—and even soul music.
In fact, if Stevie Wonder had set his multi-genred and other-worldly talents to an electric guitar, this is very well the type of awe-inspiring and soulful album he could have made. The musical talent and vocal range of Myles Kennedy is that breathtakingly apparent—and we’re just happy to be along for the ride, wherever Myles takes us next.
Surprisingly, it was when Myles was confined to his home, that Myles ended up taking his moonshot—and then some. With The Ides Of March, Myles Kennedy reached for the sky, and managed to bring us down a few stars—at a time when just about anyone could use a little extra light.
After all, it was (look it up) stars that led to the discovery of gold—which is exactly what this album sounds like between the headphones at home, and soon enough, between amps on stage as fans will undoubtedly sing along—together.
Don’t miss this album.
Better yet, make sure someone else doesn’t miss out & pick up an extra copy or gift it to them on iTunes.
Written in memory of the late Jamie Nolan, a Myles Kennedy super fan, whose “In his own words…” posts (on her Myles Kennedy Junkies FB page) brought fans closer to Myles, and each other. Jamie, thank you for supporting one of our heroes so lovingly. We miss you. 🐘
MavStar 