Itching for something that will sound as good speeding down the interstate as it does in your home stereo system? Look no further than Burn Season, the third studio album from the Travis Larson Band. While Burn Season is unquestionably a guitar lover's dream, this dynamic power trio offers much more than the dime-a-dozen Berklee educated wankers vying to dethrone Joe Satriani. Though Travis Larson can shred with the best of them, he has a keen ear for melody, mood and dynamic arrangements. Notice that this is the Travis Larson Band and each member is free to shine and does so often.
Burn Season offers up twelve very different tunes and wastes no time getting into it with the melodious "Nevele". A complex and swinging rhythm provides the bedding for Larson's Steve Morse like approach to lead guitar. The moody title track is a nicely textured piece with humble but effective keyboards delicately placed in the background. Other favorites would have to include "No Fate" and "Heads or Tales", two very different compositions that manage to remind me of Rush as much as the aforementioned Steve Morse: "No Fate" just rocks out with special props going to bassist Jennifer Young while "Heads or Tales" has a sort of jazzy feel with great fills from drummer Dale Moon. Guitarist Steve Lukather guests for a cover of Rod Stewart's version of the Curtis Mayfield classic "People Get Ready"…and I'll be damned if this doesn't top just about any treatment of the song I've heard. The percussion free "Strawberry Spring" has a great folky near Elizabethan feel and shows yet another side of The Travis Larson Band. Just when you think the CD is mellowing out comes the appropriately titled "Barrage a Trois", a supercharged speed rocker that showcases the entire band. Burn Season concludes with the reggae tinged "Seclusion(With You)", Travis Larson Band's first ever vocal performance and features guest singer Vinx's soulful baritone over a tune that is unexpectedly relaxed and pretty.
Burn Season is a rich collection of tasty compositions and for those of you who crave thoughtful melodies as well as fiery guitar leads, The Travis Larson Band will more than satiate your appetite. Great stuff here.
Track Listing
- Nevele (5:16)
- Burn Season (7:18)
- Edges (4:10)
- No Fate (4:21)
- Heads or Tales (5:06)
- Axe to Grind (4:38)
- People Get Ready (4:01)
- Enough Said (5:53)
- Strawberry Spring (3:11)
- Barrage a Trois (5:24)
- Dirty Magic (4:29)
- Seclusion(With You) (4:14)
Total Time 58:20
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