It wasn't long after
the Sights released their first album in 1999 that fans and journalists began talking about them as Detroit's Next Big Thing, and when they scored a major-label deal in 2005, the band seemed to be poised for the spotlight. Unfortunately,
the Sights missed the brass ring, got dropped, and broke up within the space of two years, but thankfully, guitarist and singer
Eddie Baranek has decided to give rock & roll another chance, and 2010's
Most of What Follows Is True reveals he hasn't allowed the music business to get in the way of the music, and the result is some of the strongest and most heartfelt music he's recorded to date.
Most of What Follows is rooted in the tough, straightforward, R&B-based rock that's
the Sights' bread and butter, though the pedal steel on "I Left My Muse" suggests they've also been listening to some classic country sides, and "Maria" is spot-on pure pop. The album is long on great tunes and rock & roll swagger, but
Baranek and his latest edition of
the Sights (Dave Lawson on bass, Gordon Smith on keys, and
Skip Denomme on drums) never sound arrogant or gimmicky -- what comes through most strongly on
Most of What Follows is the sound of four guys playing rock & roll because they love it, and even when the music takes a dark detour on "Take & Take" or slips into the blues on "Back to You," there's an honest joy and enthusiasm that infuses the music at every turn.
Baranek sings with an unaffected passion and force that's truly impressive while he and his bandmates play with lots of heart and soul and no false moves; this is strong, rootsy, meat-and-potatoes rock & roll played with gravity, skill, and the enthusiasm of true fans. One spin
Most of What Follows Is True leaves no doubt
the Sights are still a band worth hearing, and if you like to hear great songs played with gravity, skill, and brio, this is one album you'll have been waiting for.