Edgehill Avenue - Just Out of Sight (2011)

The mighty fine but little known Southern rock outfit, Edgehill Avenue, are back with Just Out of Sight, another workmanlike effort worthy of your consideration. After Rambler, their excellent full-length debut, showed off their musical chops and songwriting capabilities they followed it with a brief live CD, Off the Edge, that proved they're also a great stage band.

As with all of Dixie's best rockers this Kentucky quintet functions as a complete unit. They put the band and the music ahead of personality or stardom. Their new release is an honest, six-song EP that relies on heartfelt lyrics, an appropriately earthy lead singer (Drew Perkins) who complements the songs perfectly, and good musicianship from everyone involved. Even though this mid-tempo disc is not as eclectic as their debut you will still find a lot to like about it, right down to the pleasing cover art.

While Southern rock was extremely popular in the 70s, and it never completely went away, the days when groups like The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Outlaws all reached the top of the American music charts are long gone. There are a lot of rock fans who miss the genuineness these bands offered and we should be grateful to Perkins and his group for their attempts to help the South rise again. Dickie Betts once wrote a song for the Allmans' called "Revival" and that is just what we need. Hopefully Edgehill Avenue can lead the way.

Read more about Edgehill Avenue on their website and buy the new EP here.