Milestone is the first album in 20 years from Southern Rock/Melodic Rock legends .38 Special, as their last album was 2004's Drivetrain. The band here in 2025 is comprised of:
Don Barnes: lead and backing vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, harmonica, mandolin, piano
Bobby Capps: keyboards, backing and lead vocals
Gary "Madman" Moffatt: drums, percussion
Barry Dunaway: bass, backing vocals
Jerry Riggs: lead guitar, backing vocals
Some of you might remember both Jerry Riggs and Barry Dunaway from their stint with Pat Travers in the '80s, plus Barry also spent time with Yngwie Malmsteen, and Jerry led his own band Riggs for a few years. While there's not much of a Southern Rock 'pedigree' here in the band anymore, there's a whole lot of rock experience.
The album kicks off with "So Much So Right", and if you played this for me and didn't tell me who it was, I would never guess in a million years that it was .38 Special. It's a fun, groovy hard rock song though, and I like the riffing and lead guitars.
Up next is "Slightly Controversial", and I'm feeling some Wild Eyed Southern Boys era .38 Special here, pretty memorable rocker, fairly heavy, Don Barnes singing pretty well, with some tasty lead guitars from Don and Jerry. Pat Monahan from Train adds extra lead vocals on the song.
The first single released from the album was "All I Haven't Said", and this is Southern rock meets modern crossover country, and so well done. Classic .38 Special vocal harmonies abound on this one, an ultra-memorable chorus...I really like this song a lot. There is a biting lead guitar solo, smoldering Hammond organ...this one has hit single written all over it.
"The Main Thing" is a fun, uptempo rocker, with a sizzling guitar solo (too quick!), and ultimilately is a memorable track.
"Long Long Train" is another more pop/crossover country song, and again, it's a really memorable track, and well done, with haunting melodies, a hook-laden chorus, and nice use of acoustic and electric guitars. Release this as a single folks!
On the back end of the album, you get "Looking for My Life", a driving rocker, with a bright, memorable chorus, Don singing up a storm, effective guitar licks...hard not to like something like this, sounds like classic '80s .38 Special to me.
Next is "Making Up For Lost Time", more of an insistent rocker, big snappy rock riffs, and a huge soaring chorus. I think they are trying to tell us they are sorry that they've been away for so long. Catchy stuff.
I'm not as high on "Windows of Memories", which is a schmaltzy pop song...kind of boring, doesn't do much for me, and
"The Look" is a slow ballad to finish off the album...I'm never a fan with ending an album with your two slowest songs. This one also doesn't do much for me.
Overall, some good stuff here, a couple clunkers, but for the most part a better album than I expected. Ironically, I enjoy the two bright pop/crossover country/Southern rock songs the best, and I'd push those big time to that audience as singles if at all possible. Toss in a few other strong rockers, and this is a well worth hearing album.
Track Listing
1. So Much So Right
2. Slightly Controversial (Featuring Pat Monahan from Train)
3. All I Haven't Said
4. The Main Thing
5. Long Long Train
6. Looking for My Life
7. Making Up for Lost Time
8. Windows of Memories
9. The Look