Love and Whiskey (Average Joe's, 2019)
Sam Grow
Reviewed by John Lupton
The arrangements are heavily electric with a powerful, driving back line, but the mix features a number of acoustic guitar interludes that add a nice texture to the overall sound. It requires a voice with guts, and Grow has that with room to spare. He's got a clear baritone that carries over his backup with expression and conviction, a voice that doesn't invite any easy comparisons to any peers, not quite like anyone else. No slow dances. It's all at power-rock tempo, but it's good-time rockin', and Grow carries it off well.
Nine of the dozen songs are co-writes by Grow with a variety of partners, and he shows a knack for the twists and "hooks" of the country genre: "Battle of the South" pits him against his "Yankee girlfriend", "God Made Small Towns" resonates in a way similar to John Mellencamp's "Small Town" from more than 30 years ago, and "Drink About That" is, well, pretty much self-explanatory. Sam Grow isn't your average country singer - there may not be such a thing anymore - but he's more than a little fun to listen to.
CDs by Sam Grow
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