Review L.A. EDWARDS ‘Out of the Heart of Darkness’

Today’s review is less about metal and more about well-made rock music with Americana influences. We are talking about L.A. Edwards. The band hails from Carlsbad, California and has its beginnings in 2015.

L.A., that stands for Luke Andrew, the forenames of the songwriter and singer of the band, which also consists of Jesse Daniel Edwards and Jerry Edwards. This trio went into the studio some time ago and recorded ten songs and an intro, which these days are released on ‘Out of the Heart of Darkness’.

Listening to the album, there is no way to avoid thinking of Tom Petty, without L.A. Edwards being a copy of the master. Rather, it is the same spirit which is incorporated on this record. It’s not about glitter and the shiny Instagram world in this case. Rather, this record is about handmade and honest rock, which still reflects the dirt under the fingernails and also does not hide the scars of life.

Photo: Miller Hawkins

With ‘Already Gone’ one song has already been released as a single. It is the sound of the organ that introduces this straightforward rock song. At the same time the music is full of feelings and beautiful melodies, which makes the track an ideal single release.

However, before you get to ‘Already Gone’, you have already heard a few more songs on the record. It starts with ‘Little Boy Blue’, which is related to the previous ‘Prelude’. Even if the song has a certain lightness, it is also always the melancholy of life which resonates subliminally. Next comes ‘Now You Know’, one of the best songs on the album. The song hits directly into the heart with its emotional depth.

Emotions, that’s what this album evokes, which also applies to songs like ‘Surrender’ and ‘Hi Rite Now’. But above all, it is ‘Peace Be With You’ which is emotionally loaded. As the title suggests, it’s about goodbyes. It was the grandmother’s death that inspired the band to write this piece. However, it is by no means a melancholy song. Rather, ‘Peace Be With You’ sounds like a colorful memory of a time that was enjoyed together. Musically, it’s falsetto harmonies that set the song apart from the rest of the album. Also to be recommended is the rocking ‘Let It Out’, which gets right to the point.

L.A. Edwards present a soulful and honest rock album with ‘Out of the Heart of Darkness’. These songs are down-to-earth and impress with honesty, quality and authenticity. ‘Out of the Heart of Darkness’ – an album that will please friends of well-made rock music.