The last time I listened to July A.D., I was thoroughly impressed with their album, In Black. Released in 2012, the album featured strong Rock and Roll, with a sound that hailed back to the glory days of ’70s-styled music. As with all good things, patience often delivers a repeat performance.
July A.D., a NYC-based band have come together to record a new set. The album, Letting Go, was released in 2014. In addition to the album’s core of original tracks, there is a qualified – and rocking – version of John Lennon’s “I’m Losing You” that deserves to be appreciated, not only for its own rendition of the classic track, but for the way it is delivered. The band gave special attention to the track, underscoring the respect with which is was recorded, by providing attention to the vocals for the song.
The bluesy, 60-styled cover of Willie Cobbs’ “You Don’t Love Me” is its own version. As with the many covers of the popular track (Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, etc), July A.D. adds its own talented era-sensitive musical class to the mix. As stated before, the music by July A.D. is as varied, one song to another, as they can be. This highlights the musical abilities of the band.
There are twelve well-recorded songs found on Letting Go, all of which brings you to wonderful memories of eras gone by. But it also gives claim to the fact that there are still bands – like July A.D. with the dedication, respect, talent, and abilities to craft an album of fine tunes.
As I have said before, July A.D. are a fine duo of musicians doing what they love. Letting Go does a great job in underscoring that.
Release Date: November 04, 2014
Label: Deccagone Records
Availability: (CD, DD)
–Matt Rowe