Tyler Morris Band’s debut album Next In Line is full of high voltage performances from the local teenage guitarist who has been burning up local festival stages the last several months. Featuring many of the songs most of us have heard him play live since he came out of nowhere last year, this CD will compel his fans to put it in the player and crank it up. Although Morris has released previous recordings, this disc is really his introduction to the world at large as most of his were unfamiliar with him two years ago.
Opening with “Ready To Shove,” Tyler spearheads his band with a blistering guitar attack. His melodic phrase, thin, sharp cuts through the sonic landscape with laser precision. The guitarist also takes his axe through some interesting twists and turns during the chorus. With vocalist Morten Fredheim belting like a 1980s arena rocker, this tune charges forward with all thrusters in overdrive.
Morris leaps into “Livin’ The Life,” a punchy rocker with well punctuated vocals from Fredheim. He also has good chemistry here with Tyler, one of those pairings that add a charge to a band and its songs. Morris springs into a feisty guitar phrase mode during the break, one of those barn burning workouts that make things hot enough to burst into flames.
Helping Morris cover Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Willie The Wimp” is guest vocalist Joe Louis Walker. That Morris can get a national blues artist to sing lead vocals on a track indicates the level of connections he has. Recording this CD on the VizzTone label is another. But, getting back to the music; Morris unleashes some fierce work before getting tight with the band as they spark things up during a memorable and hooky chorus.
“Down On My Luck” takes things down tempo but we don’t feel the change because the vocals are empowered, the guitar lets loose several bright licks in quick succession, and the rhythm section, bass guitarist Scott Spray and drummer Tyger MacNeal, pound it home while keeping it flexible and warm Fiery, spiraling lead guitar parts fit in so well with the rhythm section’s openings that it isn’t funny.
“Choppin’” is an instrumental with a touch of old fashion jazz and old time blues licks flying off the guitar, freewheeling. Juxtaposed by the Uptown Horns and their winding shots, Tyler’s phrase looks brighter and sharper, balancing beautifully with their richer, thicker joyfulness. This one feels as bright as early jazz and as tight as the best in blues.
“Talkin’ To Me” cruises along coolly while Morris presses out a slender but electrifying lead guitar line. That phrase travels smoothly over a tight, R&B vibe groove, moving around the rhythmic pulse with a slippery appeal. Vocalist Fredheim, smooth as stone here, glides over the groove and guitar smolder with his own self-restrained glide. Nothing can compete with the sense of motion that carries the listener along like a tuft wind behind a sail.
The switchy tune “Thunder” finds Tyler’s rhythm work funking up an already fun, jumpy groove. Throw in a call and response between lead vocal and backing vocals, all sung by Fredheim, and this whole matter moves with its own feisty bounce. Rivulets of lead guitar phrase fall upon that vocal interchange and that makes the song grow into a high hill of sound.
“This Ain’t No Fun” is a young man’s complaint about lacking amusement and distraction. Morris makes his lead guitar cry out the anguish of ennui beside the growling, plaintive appeal of Fredheim’s large vocal. Morris has made a fun song out of something or some situation that was boring or annoying the hell out of him. This illustrates his creative juices, taking whatever is happening in the moment and fashioning it into a blazing rocker.
“Truth Is The Answer” gets plenty of power from its stomping groove and the sparks flying out of Morris’ lead guitar. When Morris switches to chords then back to red hot phrasing he creates a tension in his song, something that pulls the listener into this work, a lead riff that grows and grows until it feels mountainous, smoldering, and all encompassing.
Close out number “Keep On Driving” finds the young guitarist tossing off flinty little notes, sparks that bank off the groove with a tasteful scrape. He then strings them together in one of his gentler melody lines. It’s a snappy piece coolly augmented by keyboardist Mike Dimeo who graces all of these Morris tunes with something soulful, adding more feeling to the vibe of a piece.
With Next In Line, brought to a crackling, rippling shine by Grammy winning producer Paul Nelson, Tyler Morris Band offer a fine document of the bluesy rocking sound they’ve been performing at somewhat high profile gigs around New England. Morris might not be old enough yet to drink in the bars he plays out at but he will always be the toast of the venue. Nice work, kid.
