Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Reminiscent of an early Black Crowes sound Ingram Hill delivers a steady debut album from the heartland of country music.  The Memphis based band features a mixture of many styles throughout, reflecting the mixed background of the band having their roots planted in rock, country, and new wave music.  The group is comprised of Justin Moore on vocals/guitar, Bogard on lead guitar, Shea Sowell on bass, and Matt Chambless on vocals/drums.  Since the bands inception in 2000, Ingram Hill has established itself as a cult favorite around the South with the new debut album, ‘Until Now,’ reaching No.5 on the retail charts in Memphis.  

 

Opening track and first radio single “Will I Ever Make It Home” features a steady building rhythm throughout and a very catchy chorus establishing it as a ‘play-worthy’ favorite on the album.  The disc starts changing form here; the tracks “Almost Perfect” and  “Brothers Keeper” exhibit a pure rock taste to the listener. “Chicago” and “Maybe Its Me” comprise the ballad portion of the disc.  Rounding out the album is a clearly country influenced track “Your Smiling Face.” 

 

What stands out on the disc is most defiantly its wide range of musical flux.   The rhythms and styles utilized make your mind switch to thinking this is some other band you have heard.  With is draining guitar licks “Almost Perfect” emits a semi Gin Blossoms-ish touch to it.  From here the listener starts to wonder how the country infused track “Your Smiling Face” could come about from the same band who just portrayed their power pop guitar prowess. 

 

‘Until Now’ is most defiantly one of those underground gems that you cant just walk up to and ask your best friend about.  It can be our little secret, what do you say?  With a relentless tour attitude (170+ shows in 2001) and a sure piece of musical maturity this band will defiantly be making some headlines in the near future.