Girls, Guns & Glory – “Good Luck”

Girls, Guns and Glory are a band who have been around for eight years, many of which they have spent relentlessly touring. Their roots are in rock ‘n’ roll with a twist of country thrown in and this is quite evident on “Good Luck”, which is in fact their fifth album. It certainly doesn’t come as a surprise when reading the four pieces’ bio to see references to Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, and Buddy Holly, as well as country greats like Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. The band has also done well to secure producer Eric “Roscoe” Ambel who has not only produced Nils Lofgren, Steve Earle and The Bottle Rockets but was also Joan Jett’s original guitarist.
“All The Way To Heaven” certainly lets you know immediately what the band is all about. It has it’s roots in good old boy country, but it has the added injection of a rock sound which gives it a bit more of a kick. The country feel continues on “Shake Like Jello” but this time there is more of a fifties, rockabilly beat to give you a song that will make you want to get up and dance. Whilst “Come On Honey” shows the Eddie Cochrane influence and moves in to a simple but very effective rock n roll song.

“Be Your Man” sees the band adding some horns which works really well. Another great US band, Lucero, have used this to brilliant effect on their last couple of album. In fact, it would have been great if Girls, Guns and Glory had utilised them more on this album, as they could share a similar country rock territory. In contrast, “One Of These Days” is a far more reflective and slow song. It’s a slow paced number which allows you to really focus on the great vocals. “Rocking Chair Money” is another country ballad that will leave you imagining a man and his guitar in some dim and dark country club, while you sip a glass (bottle?) of Bourbon. Final song “It’s Your Choice” is another slower number which will have you cracking open another bottle.
Given the band’s name, it should not really come as a surprise that this is a very ‘American’ album. That’s not to say there won’t be a market for it here in the UK. It could certainly appeal to modern country fans, but has a bit more of an edge then most bands in that genre. For this reason it will also appeal to fans of more diverse bands such as Lucero or The Drive By Truckers.