For those of you who are not familiar with the band Radio Company, they were formed in 2018 in Austin, TX through the collaborative efforts of Jensen Ackles and Steve Carlson. “Keep on Ramblin” is their third album release, with previous albums self-titled Vols. 1 & 2. On December 19, 2022, Radio Company had their first ever, live concert, held before a sold-out crowd at The Analog in Nashville, TN. It was at this live concert that two of their newly minted tracks were played to an eager audience, garnering enthusiastic appreciation. Those tracks being “Every Light,” and “Right Kind of Trouble.”
I can reiterate from an earlier published review of the concert, that both of these tunes have a country backbone. While “Every Light” carries the sharp, crisp sounds from the fiddle in its medium tempo, “Right Kind of Trouble” diverges somewhat, sans fiddle, while it picks up speed and morphs into a rock-like flourish in it’s kicky up-beat rhythm.
Keep On Ramblin – The Making of Every Light
Not only were fans treated to brand new Radio Company music today, they were also treated to new video content on YouTube, showing Jensen Ackles and Steve Carlson hard at work producing this track, as well as some video coverage from their live performance of “Every Light” last December.
The song “Every Light” eloquently depicts a man whose trajectory through life is represented by a long road of traffic lights, making stops from cradle to grave for all the quintessential moments in his life like childhood, adolescence, and romantic love until finally he faces the end. Never quite “ready to go,” and rightly so. It is a wonderful song and this is a sure-fire hit with fans. The lyrics tell a good story and the music – well I dare you to sit still for it. My toe tapping starts immediately.
The video is genuinely fun to watch. The locale looks like a private studio rather than space at Arlyn Studios, which is their regular recording haunt in Austin, TX. The art and decor are pretty spectacular; modern audio/mixing equipment and musical instruments, vintage camera equipment, wonderful books and that chess board is a beauty. It’s obvious that the boys are not all work and no play, treating us to a little wild-world-of-sports batting practice and a two-pointer, layup trashketball shot!
The Music
Having seen this band live, there’s no going back. There will never be a time when hearing them doesn’t conjure images of their Dec 19, 2022 concert. There is nothing that compares to seeing a band perform live. When an artist shares something as personal as their own creations to a room full of eager fans, the energy is thrilling and palpable. Having been a grateful beneficiary of that generosity, I highly recommend it. Watch for an opportunity to see Radio Company live and jump on it. You won’t be sorry.
For a band that previously sat quite comfortably within the rock genre, this album is a delightful departure into country/folk. It’s got rich story telling. It’s got feels. It’s got sexy. It’s got melancholy. It’s got heartbreak. There’s a balance of steel and acoustic guitars, fiddle, banjo, horns and rich vocals that deliver soulful harmonizing, as these gents live up to their collective reputations. Some tracks belt out that terrific country twang so reminiscent of the style.
Themes and Feels
Listing all the songs with clickable pics (below) linking to their respective lyrics, the themes of this album readily jump out at you. It’s evident that the overall subject matter really leans into love. Love delivered in all its forms; longing, devotion, wont of affection, loyalty and both the dissolution and blossoming of romance. An incredibly poignant song, delivered in Ackles’ crisp baritone, is “Ain’t No Tellin.” It’s especially moving. Likewise, Steve delivers a real heart breaker with “Return to Me.”
In order to get this article out, I’ve had to listen to this album many times, and the tracks that are fast being solidified as favorites are: “Ain’t No Tellin,” “Keep on Ramblin,” “Every Light” and “Restless Man.” Please leave a comment and tell me what you think of the album and what your favorite tracks are. Cheers!
Songs and Lyrics
Original source article published on TWE Daily.
