Van Wilks: 21st Century Blues Review

21st Century Blues is the latest album by Van Wilks who the Austin Chronicle once touted as “best guitarist” in both electric and acoustic categories. The album comes to us blazing to fill in a ten year void in our Van Wilks loving hearts. The Texas based rocker produced the album himself while the album was recorded and mixed by Chet Himes. Van Wilks also added some special guests to the mix to round out this amazing album.

The album kicks off with “Strange Girl” a driving up tempo hit that showcases Van Wilks classic blues style. By the time the second song “Drive by Lover” was through I had to double check to make sure I was listening to the right album and someone hadn’t switched it out for some old school ZZ Top. Come to find out, ZZ Top’s own Billy F Gibbons was one of the special guests on the album and he cowrote “Drive By Lover” with Van Wilks. Speaking of special guests, track 8 “She Makes Me Crazy” features grammy winner Christopher Cross, as well as Austin’s vocal virtuoso Malford Milligan.

21st Century Blues has everything a great blues rock album needs. Driving drum beats with pronounced guitar licks that put you in a deep groove. This album left my ear buds glowing, and my fingers aching to play some riffs myself.

The Review: 9/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Strange Girl
– Drive By Lover
– 21st Century Blues
– She Makes Me Crazy
– Can’t Stop Thinking

The Big Hit

– Drive By Lover

Review by Jeremy Schantz

Buy the album: Amazon