Photo Credit: Heather Koepp
Words by Adrian Ball
Hannah Wicklund, a blues-rock guitarist standing proud as the front woman for Hannah Wicklund and The Steppin Stones started from an early age playing the piano, learning Beatles tracks before moving onto guitar and very quickly finding her feet. The self-titled third album is produced by Sadler Vaden (guitarist with Jason Isbell) and influenced by Tom Petty, Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac and Jeff Beck, resulting in a magical mix.
It’s wonderfully crafted and presented, full of blues-rock tracks that really highlight the talent of the band.
The opening track Bomb Through the Breeze is a regular on Planet Rock radio and highly deserving as the introduction to this mesmerising collection of songs. It grabs you by the scruff of the neck, rocks out and shines a bright spotlight on the band and the stunning lead vocal.
The tracks keep hitting you for six, ranging from the laid back and bluesy Ghost with its simple and hypnotic rhythm, through to the up-tempo Too Close to You with its immensely catchy guitar riff and chorus. The finale Shadowboxes and Porcelain Faces shows the more mellow side of the album and gives a chance for Hannah to fully emphasise that versatile vocal sound.
Each song is a deserving hit single and combined they add up to a marvellous album that consumes and envelops you, comforting you like a musical blanket one minute and driving you to dance around the room like no-one is watching the next. Play, listen, repeat
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