SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ROBERT RANDOLPH – PREACHER KIDS

ROBERT RANDOLPH
PREACHER KIDS
SUN RECORDS

Having made his mark across six albums as Robert Randolph And The Family Band, along with collaborating with the likes of legends, Santana, Norah Jones, Metallica, and Eric Clapton to name a few, Robert Randolph has delivered his first solo album, Preacher Kids, his first major release since 2019. The blues rock pedal steel icon makes his Sun Records debut with a record produced by Shooter Jennings (Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker) and featuring performances from Margo Price, Judith Hill, and Tash Neal.

Upon starting the record, the listener is greeted with the crunching growl of a lap steel guitar that must be running through an amp with the tubes damn near about to combust. Randolph’s tone is masterful, demonstrating a level of power that sees the lap steel take the lead role, rather than the supporting role it is more often heard in. “Big Woman”, overflowing with Randolph ripping lead lines that play off the riff heavy opening track, complimented by Southern gospel inspired vocals and an irresistible swagger. In addition to the catchy chorus, Randolph also takes the time to shred a bluesy solo. Between these two elements, “Big Woman” sees Randolph and his band bridge a sound rooted in traditional blues rock alongside a modern contemporary twist; it is neither too bluesy nor too poppy, making it a fantastic choice to open the record, setting the tone for what is to come from the rest of Preacher Kids.

Randolph immediately avoids perhaps one of the greatest pitfalls many new rock and blues artists fall for. At no point does Preacher Kids sound as though he is reliving the sounds of the ‘70s; bit rather, his approach to the lap steel and songwriting feels like he is pulling a deep level of inspiration from the blues into today’s musical landscape. Make no mistake, there is certainly a classic influence on his work, but Preacher Kids feels refreshing. Take the explosive feel and riffage of the lead single, “Sinner”, or the insatiable chorus of “Gravity” as demonstrations of this sentiment and, in addition to “Big Woman”, stand as some of the strongest offerings on the record. Additional highlights include the sauntering duet with Price on “King Karma”, the haunting Hill led “When Will The Love Rain Down”, and “7 Generations”. Truthfully, there is not a moment of weakness across Preacher Kids, guaranteeing heavy rotation on repeat as the album of the summer.

Preacher Kids is a revelation. Over the course of ten songs, Randolph delivers a revitalising take on both the blues and the pedal steel for our modern age. Much like the work of Gary Clark Jr., Preacher Kids is an incredible artistic statement that breathes new life into a genre that is roughly a century and a half old; ultimately demonstrating the timelessness of the blues and the innovative nature that rests at the centre of Randolph’s songwriting and performance.

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