There’s a reason why Boston’s Other Brother Darryl made it as far as they did in the 2024 Rock & Roll Rumble despite being the lone Country-adjacent artist across the massive line up. And there’s a reason why OBD won the Boston Music Award for “Country Artist of the Year” in the same year. And there’s a reason why OBD’s name and music constantly comes up in conversation regarding “bests” and “favorites”. And if you were not aware of those reasons yet then Roll Shine Roll is about to give you 11 of ’em.
Anyway! Roll Shine Roll, the debut full-length from Alterna-Country collective Other Brother Darryl, is almost here and features eleven tracks of pure sonic gold. Some of which include previously released singles that have dropped over the past year or so but when listeners come across them in RSR it’s like encountering a familiar friend while undertaking this soulful sojourn.
Speaking of repeat offenders, opener “Until I Do” initially arrived in November of 2022 so it’s fitting that the oldest of the bunch starts this collection off with Dave Mirabella’s vocals and acoustic guitar acting as a guiding light for the journey to come (The late Mirabella, who passed suddenly in April of 2022, is a constant source of spiritual guidance and featured on several RSR tracks). The “official” first single for RSR, “Watch The Trees”, was a sobering embodiment of not only what this band has been through but also how they’ve persevered with Dan Nicklin’s serene vocals beginning the enticing Alternative Americana jam amidst Dan Cederholm’s steady sticks, Dave Lieb’s killer keys (Especially leading into the conclusion here), Derek Feeney and Nate Leavitt’s combined acoustic guitar might, Jim Collins’ bouncin’ bass, and Chad Raleigh’s multi-faceted multi-instrumental flourishes.
“Gypsy Girl” shines a little brighter within the Roll Shine Roll fabric with the title track following next and bringing a sort of brevity on this piano-laden anthem that’s got airs of Tom Petty and Dire Straits and features one of the best whistle along moments since Axl Rose opened “Patience” that way all those years ago. Speaking of Petty, “Drive” has some definite Heartbreakers-like moments in there as well as a little Bob Dylan too! “Today” is a gorgeous, vibrant ditty that’s sure to be a timeless ODB classic with some inspired back and forth from Leavitt and Feeney while “The Ballad of Joni and Graham” touches on the relationship between the titular Graham Nash and Joni Mitchell and highlights ODB’s penchant for lush, musical storytelling with Nicklin as the trusted narrator.
“Happy Tune (A Sad Song)” adds some sitar to the mix while Lieb and Cederholm’s organ and drums intricately intertwine and “Blackadder and Friends” is a little bit (Okay, a LOT) transcendent as the 7-piece outfit break out of the confines of whatever genre they may have been boxed up in for an interesting outing that’s like a mix of late ’60’s The Moody Blues and early Santana for a neat Psych Rawk throwback that sounds pristine in the now.
“Sea to Sea” begins the cooldown lap as we head towards the end with a Soulful, Bluesy song which sees a nice interplay between Collins’ bass and Nicklin’s percussion before “Sometimes” hits like that aforementioned familiar friend, returning once more to bid adieu across these glorious final notes.
Roll Shine Roll rolls into town on February 28th and you can pre-save now by heading here and then stay tuned to this location here for more streaming and download options upon release. For more from Other Brother Darryl, including ALL the info on their upcoming record release show on March 8th at the Lizard Lounge with Undercover Cameo (Advance tix here), head here, here or here.