Rank: 4/5
Gary Clark Jr. has always done whatever he wanted musically and artistically, refusing to follow the rules and restrictions blues rock purists set for him.
With his sophomore studio album “The Story of Sonny Boy Slim,” Clark continues to bring his fusion of blues and classic rock to the forefront of music, forcing listeners to notice. The self-produced album incorporates Clark’s wide range of influences from blues to jazz and R&B.
The album’s opener and lead single “The Healing” hits the hardest with a fiery blues guitar riff and some help from a backing choir on the chorus. Clark sings about music’s healing power on the midtempo track, sonically reminiscent of B.B. King.
“Grinder” is another blues song with a fiery guitar riff in which Clark shows his Hendrix-like skill. Clark is a world-class guitarist, a fact that if forgotten, listeners will certainly remember after hearing this track. The electric guitar is the main component of “Grinder,” overtaking the vocals to sing a song of its own.
On the song “Star,” Clark shows off his versatility. “Star” is a jazzy R&B track that gives pleasant vibes with airy female backup vocals humming along throughout. The song is laid back and features a reggae-style bass line, with Clark crooning, “Everywhere you go, just know that you’re a star.”
Clark’s vocals shine on “Church,” a minimalist acoustic number. The track features his signature guitar playing and a perfectly timed harmonica. It also features the steady beat of a drum to top off Clark’s soulful serenading. “Church” reflects on the weight of living, calling on god to lend a helping hand, and is sure to be one of the more popular songs from “The Story of Sonny Boy Slim.”
The album rarely falters as Clark plays with genre. It isn’t perfect and Clark isn’t necessarily suited for every genre, but overall, it works. Each song has its own distinct style with solid lyrics.
“The Story of Sonny Boy Slim” brings something different, a blending of old and new, and considering the state of mainstream music, it’s refreshing.
The album is a rollercoaster of southern blues emotion. Clark exhibits his ability to make listeners feel joy, sadness and everything in between. The sound of his voice isn’t necessary for this. Sometimes all it takes is the shredding of his guitar.