Star-studded country act Adam Brand and The Outlaws deliver a covers album that’s several cuts above the average with their self-titled debut. Adam Brand’s posse includes multiple Golden Guitar winner Drew McAlister, Travis Collins, whose album Wired reached number one on the local country charts, former Baby Animal Matt Cornell, and renowned songwriter Mike Carr. Their collective experience shows on this release.
“Good Year For The Outlaw” is such a great introduction not just to this album, but the band. It’s got country written all over it, and stellar performances across the board, from Adam Brand’s gritty vocals to those gorgeous fiddles. When the band joined their voices and implored me to “Turn it up” I couldn’t help but oblige.
I never imagined I’d hear a country version of Poison’s “Nothing But a Good Time” but it works. It feels like the sort of thing you might hear in a dive bar somewhere in the middle of nowhere, where the drinks flow freely and the crowd is amped. “Fat Bottomed Girls” may be even more fun than it was when Queen released it. Their take on “Bad Case of Loving You” is another absolutely corker.
“Mama Don’t Let Your Babies” is one of the more predictable choices on the album, but it lets the band show their tender side. They might love to party, but there’s a bit more depth here. The poignant “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” is a lovely way to close out an album so full of energy and unbridled enthusiasm, a moment of quiet reflection after the party’s over.
Adam Brand and the Outlaws have such strong musical instincts. So many of these song choices didn’t make sense to me on paper, but hearing them I realised I’d judged too quickly. Their debut is damned good fun, a collection of familiar songs reinterpreted in such interesting ways. They’re not dramatically different enough to alienate fans of the originals, but the band’s definitely breathed new life into these classics from the worlds of country and rock music.
Adam Brand and the Outlaws self-titled debut hits stores today. They’re celebrating its release with the following shows all around the country over the coming months.
22 January 2016 – Blazes at West Tamworth Leagues Club, Tamworth
25 January 2016 – Dargo River Inn, Dargo
27 January 2016 – Flying Horse Bar & Brewery, Warrnambool
28 January 2016 – Hallam Hotel, Hallam
29 January 2016 – Gateway Hotel, Geelong
30 January 2016 – Kinross Woolshed Hotel, Thurgoona (FREE)
31 January 2016 – Capital Theatre, Bendigo
3 February 2016 – Muswellbrook RSL Club, Muswellbrook
4 February 2016 – Ettalong Diggers Club, Ettalong Beach
5 February 2016 – Waves Towradgi, Towradgi Beach
6 February 2016 – Toronto Workers Club, Toronto
7 February 2016 – Goulburn Workers Club, Goulburn
11 February 2016 – Caloundra Power Boat Club, Caloundra
12 February 2016 – Kedron Wavell Services Club, Chermside
13 February 2016 – Twin Towns Services Club, Tweed Heads
14 February 2016 – Blue Mountains Hotel, Toowoomba
19 February 2016 – Country Club, Launceston
20 February 2016 – Wrestpoint Entertainment Centre, Hobart
25 February 2016 – Inverell RSM, Inverell
26 February 2016 – Laurieton United Services, Laurieton
27 February 2016 – Moonee Beach Tavern, Moonee Beach
28 February 2016 – Club Forster, Forster
3 March 2016 – Norwood Hotel, Norwood
4 March 2016 – Old Mill Hotel, Hahndorf
5 March 2016 – Mundarring Weir Hotel, Mundarring Weir
6 March 2016 – Ravenswood Hotel, Ravenswood
17 March 2016 – Dubbo RSL, Dubbo
18 March 2016 – Club Mudgee, Mudgee
19 March 2016 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill