The Artisanals – The Artisanals

First song to last, this debut from the Charleston rock based group is a strong statement of intent. Led by lead singer Johnny Delaware (vocals, guitar) and lead guitarist Clay Houle, the Artisanals debut covers a lot of ground from inspirational mantras (Pound the Rock), modern ballads (First Time), to face melting long runs (Grow with You). All the while, its tied together by Delaware's exquisite lyrics that are profoundly introspective yet still find root in your head weeks after a listen.

Formerly of the up and coming fellow Charleston band Susto, Delaware left the group in search of his own sound. The result melds the Americana rock sound that made Susto one of the South's hottest bands with a mystical and atmospheric sound that stands out as unique. While psychedelic themes show up at times (Angel 42 to name one), they refer more to a journey of discovery than merely a fun trip. The Artisanals have had many comparison's thrown their way, from classic rock stalwarts such as Springsteen and Petty, to modern stalwarts like the Alabama Shakes and the War On Drugs.

But the one that stands out is their comparison to Kentucky's My Morning Jacket, who stood out from the start with a sound that didn't really fit a mold, yet remained rooted in several forms of classic American rock and roll. While MMJ have gone on to show that their debut was just a hint of what was to come, The Artisanals have shown on their first release that they can do it all, and have an even stronger foundation with their debut than most of the artists they get compared to.