ALBUM REVIEW ~ MYLES KENNEDY ~ 'THE IDES OF MARCH'

I'm Music Magazine, Myles Kennedy, The Ides Of March, Alter Bridge, Mayfield Four, Slash and the Conspirators, Love Rain Down, Year of the Tiger, Napalm Records, Michael "Elvis" Baskette

Alter Bridge vocalist Myles Kennedy will release his sophomore album The Ides of March on Friday (May 14th ) via Napalm records. The follow up to 2018 debut Year of the Tiger was recorded at Studio Barbarossa in California by long term producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette. The singer was joined in the studio by drummer Zia Uddin, and bassist Tim Tournier to record 11 beautiful tracks that delve into memphis blues, country and acoustic.

The album begins with Kennedy asking “ Why can’t we all get along” on “Get Along” to a thunderous riff and soaring melodies, expected from the vocalist following an illustrious career with Mayfield Four, Alter Bridge and Slash and The Conspirators. The anthemic “A Thousand Words” is another pleasant track that sees Myles Kennedy taking on the role as the wise elder with words of wisdom for the listener. Kennedy has always come across as an affable frontman with a charming voice. He tells stories through evocative lyrics and a mellifluous tone. This enables a knack for reeling in the audience. The seven-minute “The Ides Of march” is an example of this. The carefully plucked notes resonate against a delicate timbre.

Other highlights include the country-tinged “Moonshot” the touching ballad “Love Rain Down” and The Allmans Brothers’-esque “Sitting Through The Fire”. The album threatens to feel like an acoustic set towards the end. However, Myles Kennedy’s strong presence and a talented rhythm section delivers a promising result.

Overall, The Ides of March gives Kennedy the freedom to express himself outside a “heavy sound” environment to explore music that has shaped his career. This is a release that will delight any true fan of him.