Released by: Snakefarm
Release Date: Out Now!!!
Genre: Southern Rock/Country
Links: https://www.kyledanielmusic.com/
Tracklist:
1. ‘Can’t Hold Me Back’ (Clay Mills, Mike Krompass, Kyle Daniel)
2. ‘Fire Me Up’ featuring Maggie Rose (Will Hoge, Kyle Daniel)
3. ‘Runnin’ From Me’ (Adam Wright, Kyle Daniel)
4. ‘A Man Like That’ (Michael Whitworth, Kyle Daniel)
5. ‘Southern Sounds’ featuring Kendell Marvel (Kendell Marvel, Kyle Daniel)
6. ‘Me & My Old Man’ (Adam Hood, Kyle Daniel)
7. ‘Summer Down South’ featuring The Cadillac Three (Jaren Johnston, Kyle Daniel)
8. ‘Following The Rain’ (Adam Wright, Seth Rentfrow, Kyle Daniel)
9. ‘Deep In The Woods’ (Adam Wright, Kyle Daniel)
10. ‘Wild, Free & Easy’ (Dustin Christensen, Kyle Daniel)
11. ‘Everybody’s Talkin’’ featuring Sarah Zimmermann (Adam Wright, Kyle Daniel)
12. ‘Divided We Are’ (Adam Wright, Kyle Daniel)
It’s amazing that KYLE DANIEL has released a CD that could become one of the best releases of 2024, as he seems to have come out of nowhere with this sensational album. Originally from Kentucky, Kyle played in a few bands before going solo. Eventually, he settled in Nashville, where he built an impressive network around him. On his debut album, Kentucky Gold, he gets help from Jaren Johnston (THE CADILLAC THREE), Brian Elmquist (THE LONE BELOW), Mike Krompass (songwriter, multi-instrumentalist), and many other musicians and (backing) singers from the Nashville scene. His debut album, Kentucky Gold, is released on SNAKEFARM/SPINEFARM RECORDS/UNIVERSAL MUSIC, and after hearing just a few seconds of the first song, I knew this was going to be one hell of a ride. Kyle’s voice is simply amazing to listen to—characteristic and authentic, he already sounds like a huge rockstar despite this being his very first recording!
The album features 12 songs in total, and the opener, “Can’t Hold Me Back,” has a slight modern American melodic heavy rock touch, reminiscent of the KRIS BARRAS BAND. The following track, “Fire Me Up” (a duet with MAGGIE ROSE), is a superb Southern rock-infused bluesy groovy rocker filled with lovely soulful melodies in the BLACKBERRY SMOKE / ROBERT JON AND THE WRECK style. “Runnin’ From Me” follows in a pure outlaw country style, reminding me of another new hotshot, JACKSON DEAN. So far, so good—musically, the album is quite diverse, moving between outlaw country, Southern rock, and modern melodic rock, but always maintaining that raw, dirty American vibe, thanks to Kyle’s superb Southern-fried voice.
The diversity continues with the midtempo bluesy soul-AOR tune “A Man Like That,” which has a sort of AXE / JIMMY BARNES / BENNY MARDONES vibe, crossed with a slightly polished THE BLACK KEYS sound. Once again, I must emphasize that Kyle’s voice is absolutely amazing, and if he can sing live with the same raw authenticity, he is definitely one to watch in the future. Thankfully, his music is also sensational, with no weak moments to be found on his debut album. Kyle also plays guitar and wrote or co-wrote most of the songs.
The slow, semi-bluesy ballad “Southern Sounds” has a Southern LYNYRD SKYNYRD touch, with a hint of country, thanks to guest singer KENDELL MARVEL. “Me & My Old Man” is the song that made me realize who Kyle reminds me of—this midtempo Westcoast-middle-of-the-road light AOR song sounds a lot like DUKE JUPITER. If you remember that band and their lead singer, you’ll understand what I’m talking about. On the other hand, Kyle is also compared to the mighty CHRIS STAPLETON, which will likely make you even more interested in checking out this sensational singer! I also love the twin-guitar sound towards the end of this song.
The album continues with “Summer Down South,” a pure uptempo Southern rocker featuring the band THE CADILLAC THREE as guests. “Following The Rain” slows things down as a calmer, acoustic, Americana-driven song, while “Deep In The Woods” brings us back to that lovely midtempo Southern rock direction, like BLACKBERRY SMOKE. “Wild, Free & Easy” is a radio-friendly, summer-ish, uptempo AOR/pop/rock tune (a la JIMI JAMISON and JOHN FARNHAM), which could easily become a radio hit worldwide. SARAH ZIMMERMANN guests on the midtempo Southern rocker “Everybody’s Talkin’,” while the closing track, “Divided We,” finishes the album in a calmer, beautiful piano-ballad style, although it picks up tempo halfway through the song.
Without a doubt, this is a must-have CD if you like any of the aforementioned acts. You will not be disappointed, and let’s hope Kyle will also do a little tour to showcase his vocal skills because he has a voice you will never forget! It doesn’t get any better than this!
Written by: Gabor Kleinbloesem
Ratings: Gabor 9/10
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