The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band: Honeysuckle Review

There’s something deeply satisfying about a record that knows exactly what it wants to be. Honeysuckle, the latest offering from The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, is an unapologetic, foot-stomping showcase of rugged bluegrass, country, and blues. Armed with signature fingerpicking, driving rhythms, and a competent backing band, Peyton delivers a batch of infectious tunes.

The album kicks off with the title track, a formidable bluegrass number that sets the tone right away. Peyton’s slide work is sharp, and his booming vocals carry the kind of grit that immediately draws you into the band’s jagged soundscape.

Their take on Robert Johnson’s “If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day” is another standout moment. Johnson’s ghost has been summoned in countless ways over the years, but Peyton injects the classic number with fresh life, turning it into a blistering slide-heavy workout that feels revitalized.

“Like a Treasure” follows in a more restrained manner, with a warmth that makes it one of the album’s more reflective moments. Then there’s “One Dime,” which leans heavily into a country twang, bringing a playful storytelling element to the forefront.

The collaborations on Honeysuckle also add some depth. “Prison Cell Blues” benefits immensely from Billy Branch’s harmonica work, making it a raw, evocative take on Blind Lemon Jefferson’s material. Meanwhile, “Freeborn Man” is a bluegrass burner that showcases Michael Cleveland’s fiddle virtuosity alongside Peyton’s frenetic picking attack. The interplay between instruments makes it one of the most exciting moments on the record.

For a change of pace, “I Can’t Sleep” dials things down, offering a slow-burning, somber atmosphere that highlights Peyton’s ability to deliver emotional weight when needed. It’s another well-placed breather to the album’s mostly lively proceedings.

Another highlight, “Let Go” is a rollicking, high-energy piece which has the band’s chemistry on full display, with Breezy Peyton’s adept washboard clicks and Jacob Powell’s deep, thumping percussion anchoring the rhythm.

Honeysuckle is a fun, rootsy record that plays to the band’s strengths. It’s filled with energy, strong musicianship, and a genuine love for the traditions it draws from. As a fan of acts like Amigo the Devil and The Devil Makes Three, I tend to gravitate toward the darker, more grotesque side of Americana, but The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band brings a brightness and sense of excitement that’s hard to resist. The album is consistently engaging, though it doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel. Some moments feel more like variations on familiar structures rather than new statements, but when the performances are this tight, that’s hardly a valid complaint.

Overall, Honeysuckle is a solid affair—catchy, well-played, and packed with moments that will have you stomping along.

The Review: 7.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day
– Prison Cell Blues
– Freeborn Man
– Let Go
– Honeysuckle

The Big Hit

– Honeysuckle