Moreland & Arbuckle Promise Land or Bust (CD)

(2016/Alligator) 11 tracks.
Moreland & Arbuckle are a riveting live act just burning with energy, having honed their sound over the course of countless raucous live performances. They've shared stages with George Thorogood, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy and Los Lonely Boys. Promised Land Or Bust is as deep as delta blues and heavy as thundering rock, as the band continues to wring hard-hitting, modern roots music from traditional forms. Aaron Moreland's guitar stays groove-friendly while firing off sledgehammer riffs, Dustin Arbuckle's raucous singing and harp playing reinforce the relentless drive of the music, and both are barely held in place by Kendall Newby's propulsive drumming. Even when the throttle is pulled back for a loping folk-tinged ballad or a noir-ish blues worthy of Tom Waits, the band's intensity and raw emotion shine through.