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Feral Roots
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Feral Roots Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 23 Ratings

  • Summary: The sixth full-length release for the California rock was produced by Dave Cobb and is its first on the Atlantic label.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Glide Magazine
    Jan 24, 2019
    100
    Their strongest and most cohesive album to date. ... The band has now clearly developed their own signature sound and style, not following trends or outside influences. Roots encapsulates the band and their music at this point.
  2. Consequence
    Jan 24, 2019
    83
    Across 11 tracks, the band keeps listeners engaged thanks to a spread of bluesy rock. Electric rhythms intertwine with warm vocals and glowing melodies throughout Feral Roots, making for an experience where listeners will find something different to enjoy in each track.
  3. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jan 24, 2019
    80
    An album of depth and impact that merits luxuriant poring over. [Feb 2019, p.88]
  4. AllMusic
    Jan 25, 2019
    80
    "Look Away," with its inventive and Eastern-tinged, Led Zeppelin III-inspired acoustic guitar work, the soulful and contemplative title cut, and the breezy, psych-folk-rocker "All Directions," are administered with equal amounts of nuance and backbone, showcasing the band's versatility in both songcraft and execution, a feat made all the more impressive by their predilection for recording live in the studio. That craftsmanship, no doubt bolstered by the group's adherence to a rigorous tour schedule, is the glue that keeps Feral Roots from bursting apart at the seams.
  5. Kerrang!
    Feb 7, 2019
    80
    It's a fuzzed-out, heavy-arsed, thoroughly soulful blast of glorious rock thunder that salutes the past with one arm, while bringing in an ultra-cool identity of Rival Sons' own with the other. [9 Feb 2019, p.55]
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  6. Mojo
    Jan 24, 2019
    60
    The band's sixth album, while still oddly uneven, features some of their finest work to date. [Mar 2019, p.92]
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  7. Exclaim
    Jan 28, 2019
    60
    Rival Sons are a great band with a great sound; the only thing they're guilty of is doing what they do really well, but then exhausting it over and over again.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Bluesifer
    Sep 9, 2019
    9
    Just a terrific rock album! I have never listened to Rival Sons' music before, so I can't review it based on their earlier work, but thisJust a terrific rock album! I have never listened to Rival Sons' music before, so I can't review it based on their earlier work, but this album took me by surprise. Every song was compelling in one way or another and the musicianship is tremendous! By far one of the best albums of the year!… Expand
  2. Mayfieldja
    Feb 8, 2019
    5
    What we have here is good ole’ fashion southern style rock n roll. Rival Sons have some pretty solid moments in instrumentation, specificallyWhat we have here is good ole’ fashion southern style rock n roll. Rival Sons have some pretty solid moments in instrumentation, specifically in their percussion and guitar work. Unfortunately, this is offset at times with generic riffs and lyrics that come together like a mad-lib of cliche rock sentiments. The titular track is absolutely brilliant but this album is severely unbalanced in terms of quality. 5.5 out of 10
    Tracks to enjoy: “Feral Roots” & “Imperial Joy”    … Expand