Review
If you've got any preconceived notions about what Texas/Red Dirt country should sound like, Treaty Oak Revival's debut album "No Vacancy" is here to smash them into pieces. Dropping in 2021, this album dives headfirst into the gritty worlds of substance abuse and shattered relationships, with a hint of punk rebellion and a dash of southern rock defiance. The gang—Sam Canty, Lance Vanley, Jeremiah Vanley, Andrew Carey, and Kelly McKay—concoct a brew that's raw and dripping with real-life heaviness, using music as their weapon to challenge life's toughest blows.
Each song on this bad boy is a different room in a fictional motel, each door guarding a unique story within "No Vacancy". From the playful riffing of "Boomtown" and "Irish Goodbye" that’ll make you want to laugh at life’s absurdities, to the vulnerability etched in "Ode to Bourbon" and the standout title track, these tunes weave tales of desperation and resignation only someone battling their own demons could pen. Canty's raw, gritty voice serves as the perfect vessel for these tales, ensuring each lyric pierces right through the ears into the soul.
The songwriting is where Sam Canty's and Lance Vanley's genius really flashes bright. Tracks like "Postcard" and "One Time Thing" carry us through the unraveling chronicles of characters having their pivotal epiphanies. The band's ability to interconnect their themes threads this album into one cohesive ride—an impressive feat for their debut bow. Musically, they blend punk-driven guitars and relentless drums with earthy Red Dirt country undertones, crafting a raw sound that’s as brash as it is infectious. "No Vacancy" isn’t just the opening chapter for Treaty Oak Revival; it's a bold statement of intent that rings out loud and clear. - Rafe
