SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SOUTH OF EDEN – THE TALK

South Of Eden
The Talk
Lava Records

Previously known as Black Coffee, the newly-named South Of Eden have returned with The Talk. The four-track EP is not only their debut under the new moniker, but also marks their label debut since signing with Lava Records. The Talk is a strong contender that follows in the growing classic rock resurgence and sees the band developing since their previous release, Take One, in 2018.

Opening with “The Talk”, South Of Eden waste no time as they set the tone with a high octane, hard rocker that kicks to door open on its way through your speakers. The title track opens with a hard-hitting riff that simply explodes out of the silence before mellowing into a melodic verse, only to once again return with an even bigger chorus. Simply put, the track rips. “Solo” continues with a more mid-tempo, groovy rocker that is abundant with swagger.

In a nod to their previous name, “Morning Brew” opens the second half of the EP with a slightly ambient ballad that leans on a jazz foundation. The moody and haunting song feels reminiscent of Santana and stands as a brilliant example of songwriting. While South Of Eden may be toted as one of the most promising up-and-coming rock bands, “Morning Brew” will leave you captivated by the soulful absence of such. The closing track and lead single, “Dancing With Fire”, returns South Of Eden back to form with all the fury and distorted crunch of Van Halen, giving a strong EP a larger than life, climatic conclusion.

While only four songs in length, The Talk is a very strong debut for South Of Eden. The record demonstrates a level of songwriting that surpasses that of most typical rock bands while still delivering a deep sense of nostalgia. Beyond this, the performance from the band as a whole is simply impressive. Fans of Van Halen and AC/DC, along with a younger generation caught in the new wave of classic rock led by the likes of Greta Van Fleet, Dirty Honey, and Joyous Wolf, should crank up the stereo and enjoy South Of Eden’s The Talk.

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