Blue Highways - Out on the Line

  by Julie Cruickshank

published: 30 / 8 / 2023

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British brothers Callum, Jack and Theo Lury, aka The Blue Highways, released their debut album ‘Long Way to the Ground’ in 2020, sparking interest in their particular approach to Americana-flavoured rock. Their new album continues in the same vein, and tells stories of resilience and endurance. Callum Lury is the album’s songwriter, arranger and producer as well as the band’s lead singer, and his husky voice is very reminiscent of Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. Opening track ’Don’t Waste Your Prayers On Me’, a brief, spare lament, is followed by ‘Nobody Lives Here Anymore’, a Springsteen-esque tale of urban wastelands: “There’s nothing left for us in this town…..in the shadows where secrets hide” sings Lury. ‘Rio Grande’ builds from hushed voice and piano through glorious bell-like guitar into searing, yearning vocals; this is a truly remarkable track which deserves to be played whilst driving along a desert freeway somewhere in the USA. It is hard, at times, to remember this band is British. ‘Running Out of Time’ calls to mind the songs of Bryan Adams with its big sweeping drumbeat and anthemic chorus. ‘Don’t Leave Me Alone’ is another Springsteen-like song, followed by ‘Tonight’, a beautiful, thoughtful love song. ‘What’s A Man To Do’ has a hypnotic, swirling quality; ‘Streetlights’ reminds us that The Blue Highways are British as the lyrics of this rather punky song attest: “Don’t be late home tonight and keep to the streetlights/Baby this is England”. ‘Land of the Free’ is pure AOR, a great track notable for its expansive honey-toned guitar. ‘Man With No Name’ is a blistering opprobrium of the dispiriting anonymity of working life. The album closes with title track ‘Out on the Line’, a standard shuffle bringing this remarkable set of songs to its conclusion. The Blue Highways have produced a fine second album in ‘Out on the Line’, showcasing the magisterial musical talents of the Lury brothers.

Track Listing:-

1 Don't Waste Your Prayers on me
2 Nobody Lives Here Anymore
3 Rio Grande
4 Running out of Time
5 Don't Leave me Alone
6 Tonight
7 What's a man to do
8 Streetlights
9 Land of the Free
10 Man with no Name
11 Out on the Line

Band Links:-

https://thebluehighwaysband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thebluehighways/
https://twitter.com/thebluehighways

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