Review­: Needtobreathe – 'Hard Love'

How do you follow up a blockbuster of an album? An album that topped both Billboard’s Top Rock Album chart as well as their Top Alternative Album chart. An album that featured the band’s highest ever charting single, along with earning them their first ever Grammy nomination. How do you follow that up? South Carolina band Needtobreathe had that daunting task when they got back in the studio to record a follow up to 2014’s ‘Rivers In The Wasteland’, so rather than simply copy previous albums, they experimented with some synths and electronic effects, and mixed these in with their joyous, soulful brand of rock. ‘Hard Love’ is the end result.

The new approach is best exemplified on opening track ‘Mountain Pt.1’, which is a short synth-laden intro to the album’s title track. Vocalist, Bear Rinehart has a natural, unforced voice, which in places recalls Caleb Followill (Kings Of Leon), that same powerful voice that can’t be schooled. You’re either born with it, or your not. The track is an uplifting tale of perseverance, and the other member of the Rinehart clan, guitarist Bo Rinehart, best sums it up by saying… “If there’s a greater good that you want to be a part of, you’re gonna have to suffer some punches in order to get there, and the song ‘Hard Love’ is partly about recognizing that,” ’Money & Fame’ finds the band warning about the pitfalls that success can bring, and the Stax style horns in the background give the track a cracking vibe. ’No Excuses’ is an early contender for my favourite track on the album. A luscious, stripped back few minutes of blissful chill, that actually had me clicking my fingers in time to the incredible vocals from Rinehart. There is a real swing to the album, and ‘When I Sing’ epitomises this, with a gospel-like mid section, where the vocal harmonies soar.

‘Happiness’ is the lead single, and it continues with the gospel-tinged sound. The choir-like chorus is incredible, and makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. Nothing fancy, just a joyful sound. Fellow natives of South Carolina, Shovels and Rope lend a hand on ‘Great Night’. The duo help deliver an unashamedly upbeat anthem with a great guitar sound from the other Rinehart. Grinches need not apply, as this is the sound of musicians having fun. ’Be Here Long’ is perfect rom-­com soundtrack material. Perfect for that scene where the main character realises how much of a schmuck they’ve been, and the person that they’ve been waiting on all their life has been under their nose all the while, usually just before something dramatic happens, and it’s too late…”We don’t get to be here long…”, Hollywood awaits. ’Don’t Bring That Trouble’ has a toe-tapping intro, similar to ‘Vintage Trouble’, and proves that everyone has a little rhythm and blues in them.