Eric Johanson: The Open Bayou Review
On October 16, Eric Johanson will release The Open Bayou, his first record on his new label Levee Ward Records. The record is self-produced and, like many of Johanson’s previous albums, self-published. Johanson’s guitar and vocals on The Open Bayou are accompanied by Will Repholz on bass and Jake Gartenstein on drums. The album is firmly in traditional blues rock territory, with some notable influence from heavy metal in structure and melodic choices throughout.
The album is mostly good, enjoyable, and easy to listen to. When I say the album is mostly good, it’s not because parts are bad, but because parts are excellent. Candidly, I rated most of the songs on The Open Bayou a solid seven, with the exception of three tracks I rated as perfect tens.: ”Still I Move,” ”Alligator Smile,” and ”What Makes You Real.”
Each of these three stand out tracks has a key feature, a core creative choice that elevates it from the rest of the record. “Alligator Smile,” the fourth track, has a more country vibe that evokes early CCR playfulness and earnestness. “Still I Move,” at number six on the album, has a silky RnB feel for an instant classic ramblin’ man song with a killer heavy chorus clearly drawn from Johanson’s metal influences.
And finally, “What Makes You Real,” the tenth and final track on the record, is a flawless blues rock tune. Slower, mournful, and thoughtful, it is equal parts restrained and intense. These three songs are the best of the album, with the intensity of creative novelty.
The Open Bayou is a good, almost great blues rock album. The band sounds great, and Johanson’s guitar in particular really shines and shows why he’s played with some of the biggest names in the genre. It’s easy listening and at moments it absolutely soars. I’m looking more to hearing more from Johanson, and I hope he continues to get more experimental and weird with his creative choices!
The Review: 8/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
– Still I Move
– Alligator Smile
– What Makes You Real
The Big Hit
– What Makes You Real
