So, this was my introduction to the Ashley Sherlock and he left a decent first impression. The blues singer comes locked and loaded with his debut album Just A Name. The album is filled with songs that will leave you feeling beautiful emotions and good vibes. The Manchester singer-songwriter and his band have been on the scene for about four years in its current incarnation. Before this record, he had two EPs to his name. 2019s Ashley Sherlock and 2021s If You’re Listening. So naturally I had to go back and listen to the earlier material to get some groundwork. I heard a naturally gifted songwriter with an ear for a good hook, and clearly, influenced by the classic pantheon of songwriters. He wears his heart on his sleeve and that leaks from his soul to the songs he puts together. I can appreciate that, a songwriter that has a voice. Sure this kind of underground blues-rock sound has been around since the dawn of underground rock bars. However, I think he’s found his own unique voice in the space and anyone who appreciates authenticity in their rock will appreciate the writing.
If there is one word I would use to describe Just A Name, it’s earnest. It’s a rock record with a lot of heart and is sung and played with conviction. There is a lot of soul weaved through the lyrics and it’s almost like you know Ashley personally by the end of the record. Especially with the last track “Backstage Wall”, informing the listener of the plight of the underground musician. It could have been very easy to make some of these songs quiet and understated but Ashley just sells you the story with his delivery of the lyrics. What is more, the whole album is filled with such attention to detail. I think the song that truly grabbed me was “Dear Elizabeth”. That song almost brought a tear to my eye. It’s basically a musical drama that plays out. Ashley does such a great job of painting the picture in your mind of a pretty sad situation.
I say this album is a blues-rock record and it is however I don’t think it’s strictly blues. There are so many elements at play here, switching from blues to soul, to straight-up rock. Hell, there are even elements of country music and Southern rock in here. Like in the song “Empty Street”. Which is pretty much a country-style story-telling song. Complete with country chorus-outro guitar licks. It’s just so interesting how the writing flows in and out of musical style and genre. It feels so effortless.
That’s not even mentioning the production. This album sounds so freaking good. It’s simplistic but it's damn effective. The way all of the instrumentation comes together to create a beautiful symphony of emotional, soulful rock ‘n’ roll. The rhythm section, consisting of Charlie Rachael Kay on bass and Danny Rigg on drums, just holds the album together like glue. It’s just done so right, the rhythm gives the guitar and vocals a lot of slack so they can run away, but it also has enough restraint to bring everything back together to make the song feel whole, complete and digestible. It’s so well mixed and put together that you have to appreciate the beauty in the raw delivery and simple construction.
Would I recommend Ashley Sherlock's Just A Name? In a word, yes. It has all of the elements I look for in solid blues rock. The well-constructed rhythm section, check. A soulful vocal range that sells you the story of the singer, check. Some punchy and well-placed guitar solos, check and check. It’s a solid record and one I think you should totally check out. While you’re at it, give the EPs a listen too and maybe pay to see them live, could be worth it.
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