Review by Dom Vigil
Soulful, passionate and timeless, The Revivalists’ latest effort, Take Good Care is an incredibly full and memorable release. The Revivalists blend stories of self-reflection, love, celebration and hope throughout the complex and catchy as hell album, promising a little something for everyone. Whether you’re still figuring your life out, falling in or out of love or looking for your next big adventure, there’s something for you on Take Good Care.
The theatrical opening track, “Otherside of Paradise” brings things in slowly rather than with a bang, leading into The Revivalists’ hit single, “All My Friends,” which is where things really pick up. The anthemic track is not only a surefire sing-along, but it also feels very full. If you close your eyes, it’s almost as if you’re in the studio with the band, and the rest of the album feeds into this energy.
The thing about The Revivalists is that they know how the utilize each and every instrument to create the fullest, most uniform sound. Although there is a lot going on in each song, none of them ever feel busy or too full. While this does cause the majority of the album to feel like it falls on the same level, there are some songs that really shine and stand out from the pack. “Celebration” is easily one of the strongest tracks on the album, driven by strong group vocals, horns and an incredible key change near the end. Meanwhile, songs like “Got Love” and “All My Friends” are timeless, filled to the brim by a massive brass section while “Oh No” is driven by rich, gritty guitar work. Then there’s the cozy “Next To You” and the slower “Hate To Love You,” which contrast really well with songs like the energetic “Future” and “You And I,” which is a perfect blend of spectacular vocals and fun guitar work.
Lyrically, there are a few standouts on Take Good Care as well. From the soulful “Got Love,” which is a celebration of love and “Next To You,” which slows things down a bit and feels like falling for someone for the first time, all the way to “Celebration” which just feels like a party, Take Good Care covers a wide range of emotions. The most powerful is definitely the closing track, “Shoot You Down,” which was written in the wake of the Parkland shooting and is dripping with emotion and pain.
Most of all, Take Good Care feels human. These songs are ones that listeners will not only easily relate with, but they’ll feel it in their soul. With timeless, soulful songwriting accompanying these honest and heartfelt songs, The Revivalists have created a memorable and impactful release.
LISTEN TO: “All My Friends” “Oh No” or “Celebration”
STAY CONNECTED WITH THE REVIVALISTS: https://www.facebook.com/therevivalists/