Story Book Road
Houston’s four piece country outfit Story Road recently dropped a new self-titled EP bursting with igniting get-up-and-go.
Story Book Road
Made up of Mike Coker (guitar, vocals), Trevor Reifel (guitar, lead vocals), Art Elder (bass, vocals), and Bruce Randall (drums, vocals), Story Book Road describes their sound as “bronco rock,” an infectious blend of country and galvanizing rock.
Songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Michael Coker explains the band’s musical philosophy, saying, “The key to making things work for Story Book Road is first and foremost our vocals, the way we trade off leads and do harmonies. When it comes to the familiar old songs in our set, our criteria is simple: if it’s not danceable, if it makes people in the audience just sit there as we’re spinning our wheels, it’s not in the set. We tend to keep songs on the set list that people recall, and that we know the band can do well. It was great to record a few for this EP. With my originals, the focus is on a good upbeat groove and lyrics that are interesting and make some sort of sense. It’s hard now to pinpoint exactly when the writing started for me – but when I look back on my earlier tunes, I realize that simplicity can be extremely cool. I continue to try to hone the craft daily – trying to create musically and lyrically what the average guy will tap his toe to and get the message presented – and remember!”
The genesis of Story Book Road occurred in 2013. Coker and Reifel were invited by a friend to join him for a gig at Blancos. When the friend couldn’t make it, the duo proceeded to blow the doors off Blancos. Inspired, they formed a band that eventually came to be Story Book Road, a name borrowed from the street Coker lived on in Irving, Texas.
Highlighted by velvety vocal harmonies, the tune delivers gorgeous sonic textures.
Encompassing six-tracks, the EP begins with “Cabin In The Woods,” featuring gleaming guitars riding a crisp infectious groove. The feel and mood of the tune is buoyant country flavored with delightful tinctures of heady rock ingredients. Highlighted by velvety vocal harmonies, the tune delivers gorgeous sonic textures.
“Carmen Miranda” opens on glossy Spanish-flavored guitars flowing into a tasty melody full of bright horn accents topping the smooth harmonic surfaces. A spellbinding trumpet backs the vocal harmonies, infusing the tune with lustrous colors.
“Get Out Tonight” rides a chugging country rock melody full of electrifying driving energy, while the following track, “It Don’t Mean Nothin’,” delivers grinding guitars traveling on a tight rhythm, as three-part harmonies fill the atmosphere with radiant tones.
“Sister Sally” combines rollicking country ingredients with rockabilly tinges. A tantalizing guitar solo heats the harmonics up to scorching temperatures, as a braying organ provides silky drawling textures. “Window of Your Soul” is my favorite track on the album because of its dynamic rhythm and scrumptious vocal harmonies, along with a brilliant lead guitar.
Story Book Road definitely has it going on, delivering gusto-filled country rock rife with exhilarating energy and luscious vocal harmonies.
