Review Summary: The Wild Feathers – although new – sound at times like an all-star group already; as if Tom Petty, Glenn Frey, and Ryan Adams all had a child together.
The Wild Feathers are:
Taylor Burns - Lead Vocals/Electric Guitar
Ricky Young - Lead Vocals/Acoustic Guitar
Joel King - Lead Vocals/Bass
Preston Wimberly - Vocals/Lead Guitar
Ben Jarvis - Percussion
It’s been a crazy year for new rock quintet The Wild Feathers, who joined the Warner Brothers family, and already have toured with impressive names such as Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and Paul Simon. Now, their self-titled debut is out, and is about to take America along for the ride. With three different lead singers that each have their own individual sounds and styles, The Wild Feathers – although new – sound at times like an all-star group already; as if Tom Petty, Glenn Frey, and Ryan Adams all had a child together. Yes, that is quite the bold statement, but The Wild Feathers is an album that serves as its own proof for such a claim.
Upbeat tracks like “The Ceiling”, “American”, and “I’m Alive” are never without raw energy in the raspy tenor vocals and punching guitar licks. Stand-out tracks “Backwoods Company” and “Hard Wind” both capture a very dark sound that could easily fit on any Jack White album, as well as stunning vocal harmonies that are reminiscent of The Eagles at their very best. The guitar work of Preston Wimberly and the vocal harmonies are present on nearly every song of the album, and the result is that each song refuses to hide or shadow the true talent of this group.
Most times when a group has more than one (or in this case more than two) singer who takes lead vocal duties, the ultimate rhythm on an album can be chaotic and lack unity as a cohesive group. However, The Wild Feathers are able to hone in their sound with the harmonies and the universal guitar solos that bring the songs together, and give their overall sound its distinction.
Already gaining a reputation as a very strong and memorable live act, The Wild Feathers have masterfully captured the energy of their live sound and put it into their studio debut, which showcases the group that already has the signature of approval from legends Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and Paul Simon, the support of Warner Bros, and Rolling Stone already on their knees ready to sell their souls to bet on them. America, I give you The Wild Feathers.
Top Tracks:
Hard Wind
Backwoods Company
The Ceiling