Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Blacktop Therapy by Prowess

We are the warriors, take no prisoners. Everyone in the Prowess tribe knows this is the first line of the chorus of "No Survivors," which is the first song on Prowess's debut EP, Head First . 

Fire up the cannons and raise the flag/look out, we're going overboard. Those were the first lines in the chorus of "Overboard," the last song on Head First. Little did I know this was a rock-solid (no pun intended) promise from the band to their tribe that these warriors were soon going to go overboard...in a good way...with their music.

In their follow-up album, Blacktop Therapy, Prowess takes that warrior-take-no-prisoners mindset to the next level. The title track, not to mention Dalton Bowes's raw vocals, easily drew me into this virtual road trip.

Prowess - Blacktop Therapy (2020, 320 kbps, File) | Discogs


As each song played, I felt like "The Princess" in The Breakfast Club falling for "The Criminal." These songs reveal a darker, more aggressive side of Prowess; that's all the more a good reason to hang onto every word till the last song fades. Three songs in particular include "Lookin' for a Bullet," "Eyes of a Hunter," and "Welcome Home."

What has always impressed me about Prowess is their rich classic rock sound. My ears were beyond thrilled to hear even more of this absolutely flawless sound on Blacktop Therapy, the tight melodies. My fellow rockers, you just plain can't not listen to the guitar breaks in "Every Right" and "Bring Your Love," The former song stands out to me; I guess no matter what, I'll always want to "Rock all night and sleep all day." "Heart's Desire"...it's the lyrics, vocals, guitar...and the ride cymbal that make that song, that makes me want to bob my head in time to it. Thanks, Brandon!

You pay the price when you play the tune. That's one of the lines from "Tombstone Blue." In my humble opinion, any price I pay (if there is any) listening to Prowess is small.