The Southern River Band - Live at the Pleasuredome

2016 –  The Southern River Band

By Phillip Smith; Nov. 12, 2016

Nothing quite compares to a big healthy dose of pure unadulterated rock and roll, and that is exactly what one gets when they press the play button on Live at the Pleasuredome, from The Southern River Band.  The music is vibrant and resonating, boasting grandeur vocals from Callum Kramer, ripping guitar performances by Jason Caniglia, frenzied thunderous beats from drummer Carlo Romeo, and awe-inspired basslines from Anton Dindar.  These four guys, from a town called Thornlie (not far from Perth, Western Australia), take their cue from some of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time: The Rolling Stones, Van Halen, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, to name but a few.

Lush guitar riffs and a catchy hook draw me in to “Pandora”, like an ant to honey.  I immensely enjoy the ferocious rock anthem “Let It Ride”, steered by Kramer’s amazingly intense vocal prowess.  Caniglia adds a generous serving of southern fearlessness to this bluesy masterpiece. “Two Times the Fool” feels like a newly discovered Black Crowes song uncovered from a lost box of master-tapes.  Soulful and melodic vocals surf atop an avalanche of intensive jam.  “Little While” is a terrific song too.  Kramer takes a relaxed approach in singing this charming power-ballad while dabbling on just a smidge of textured rasp. 

I haven’t heard an album with this kind of presence in a long time.  The Southern River Band scores huge with Live at the Pleasuredome. This is indeed one epic listen.