Review LANSDOWNE “Wish You Well”

Lansdowne didn’t exactly flood the rock community with longplayers and other releases. The band premiered with “Blue Collar Revolver” in 2011, and it took until 2023—including a two-year hiatus—to release a second album, “Medicine.” “Medicine” seems to indicate a positive direction, as the band released their next album only three years later.

“Wish You Well” is the latest studio effort from the Boston-based alternative rock band. The third album features eleven songs and starts with a track called “Burn It Down.” The opener is a hard rock track with a good melody line. It’s an energetic start to the new album. You’re immediately reminded of bands like Black Stone Cherry when listening to the first song. The entire album represents high-energy rock with a commercial touch.

Furthermore, the atmospheric “Make It a Lie” transitions between harder riffing and soulful parts, with Jon Ricci’s vocals being the key element. Each song is an entertaining example of alternative rock made for a broader audience.
At the same time, the songs on “Wish You Well” basically follow the same formula. The combination of harder guitar parts and emotional nuances forms the foundation of each song. Tracks like “Bury Me” deviate slightly from this musical principle, though the album generally features predictable grooves.

“Wish You Well” is undoubtedly a vibrant rock album with a powerful sound. It’s the perfect soundtrack for a long car ride into the summerly sunset. At the same time, Lansdowne’s third album doesn’t offer any unexpected twists or moments with a strong recognition factor. In the best sense of the term, it is a solid mainstream rock album — nothing more, nothing less.