Album Review: HoJames Band Self-Titled

From the first notes of the HoJames Band self-titled album, I knew I was in for an Americana treat. The guitars drop with a timeless effect. It’s an album that shows reflections of great southern rock like Creedence and Skynrd. It’s a sound that a lot of our readers are going to enjoy and embrace.

“Old Imperial” has a good combination of throwback guitars and a gritty modern Americana style on the lead vocal. It sounds like it could have come from the mid-20th century, but at the same time has a nice contemporary production value to it.

“Grandjo’s Cadillac” has the old time blues rock style to it. Fans of electric guitars and bluesy lyrics will find a lot to like with this one. The following “Wish You Were Gone” reminds me a bit of Stevie Ray Vaughn and the clean guitar licks with a melodic element to them. The lead vocal feels like a classic rock staple.

“Scratch and Smoke” is more of a fun, light hearted song about cigarettes and lottery tickets. It’s going to be a theme familiar to a lot of listeners. “Castaways” brings back the cool electric guitar elements again, creating a heavier vibe than several of the other songs on the album. “Not Like That” has a similar vibe as “Castaways” later in the album. It’s got a slow burn with a deep southern feel to it in the vein of Skynrd’s “Simple Man.”

“Alone in a Country Song” has an intriguing beat to it, almost like a “Margaritaville” style light energy. The lyrics are a bit heavier. The combination makes for an unexpected pop rock track that doesn’t reflect country music in sound but a little in terms of lyrics. “Bucket Boy Blues” might be one of the best tracks in terms of genre. It really stays in the pocket of a classic blues rock tune. Guitar licks like the ones on this track are the highlight of the album.

The final track “The One for Me” brings home the album with another rock jam. The lyrics are about the need for two broken people to make it work in a relationship. The lyrics feel very down to earth, like something you’d hear from the guys at the bar sitting around talking about their significant other.

All told, the album does a nice job of bringing together complimentary styles. Fans of 20th century rock music are going to find a lot to like in the variety here. The album is at its best when it channels southern rock like Creedence and Skynrd in pockets of the album. This is one for the classic rock fans who are looking for something new with an old, familiar style.