Ike Reilly’s been around releasing records since the early 90s, but surprisingly he’s still a relatively unknown artist. His contemporary rock & roll is creative, relevant and performed with honesty and passion.
With lyrics that touch current, relevant subjects like international relations, war and peace, economy, and much, much more, and essentially a pretty classic approach in delivering that message, Reilly is headlining a new generation of rock & roll artists that could eventually be the Dylans, Fogertys, MacGowens, Cash’s of today.
On “Hard Luck Stories” he connects with the man on the street, the man in the pub, the normal, working man. And what Reilly does extremely well is to match the agression and intensity on the one side, and the comfort and compassion on the other side in words and music alike.
“Hard Luck Stories” starts off with a jangly, 60s-influenced rock & roll song called Morning Glory. The somewhat bluesy undertone in the song is classic, just classic. The more uptempo Girls In The Backroom is like a modern version of The Pogues and brilliant songs like The War On Terror & The Drugs and Sheet Metal Moon are filled with subtleties, both musically and lyrically.
The album is well balanced between more uptempo rockers and mid-tempo bluesrockers, as well as the occasional slowed down anthem or ballad. Best example of the slower songs is Flowers On Down on which this maestro is channeling a little Dylan. And you know what, Ike Reilly does it at least just as well.
Musically and lyrically “Hard Luck Stories” ranks very high in the list of albums released in 2010. While it has obvious influences from the 60s and 70s it still sounds current and even refreshing and creative. Reilly knows how to bring out the best of himself musically and therefore “Hard Luck Stories” has become a very strong and complete album that shows an experienced songwriter and musician playing with guts, sincerity and passion.
With lyrics that touch current, relevant subjects like international relations, war and peace, economy, and much, much more, and essentially a pretty classic approach in delivering that message, Reilly is headlining a new generation of rock & roll artists that could eventually be the Dylans, Fogertys, MacGowens, Cash’s of today.
On “Hard Luck Stories” he connects with the man on the street, the man in the pub, the normal, working man. And what Reilly does extremely well is to match the agression and intensity on the one side, and the comfort and compassion on the other side in words and music alike.
“Hard Luck Stories” starts off with a jangly, 60s-influenced rock & roll song called Morning Glory. The somewhat bluesy undertone in the song is classic, just classic. The more uptempo Girls In The Backroom is like a modern version of The Pogues and brilliant songs like The War On Terror & The Drugs and Sheet Metal Moon are filled with subtleties, both musically and lyrically.
The album is well balanced between more uptempo rockers and mid-tempo bluesrockers, as well as the occasional slowed down anthem or ballad. Best example of the slower songs is Flowers On Down on which this maestro is channeling a little Dylan. And you know what, Ike Reilly does it at least just as well.
Musically and lyrically “Hard Luck Stories” ranks very high in the list of albums released in 2010. While it has obvious influences from the 60s and 70s it still sounds current and even refreshing and creative. Reilly knows how to bring out the best of himself musically and therefore “Hard Luck Stories” has become a very strong and complete album that shows an experienced songwriter and musician playing with guts, sincerity and passion.