Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors' time spent simmering just below the surface of the crowded Americana scene may finally be paying off with
Souvenir, an 11-track set of catchy as all hell roots rock, country-folk, and power pop that's as heartfelt as it is radio-ready. The prolific, Memphis-based outfit's tenth studio long-player since forming in 2005,
Souvenir arrives on the heels of the 2016 concert album Live at the Ryman, which marked the band's first appearance at the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. As impressive a venue as it is, the 2,300-seat Ryman could barely contain arena-sized rockers like "California" and "Fight for Love," both of which are delivered with enough
E Street-worthy exuberance to easily reach the nosebleed seats. There's an anthemic quality to
Souvenir that extends to its quieter moments as well, with the folksy "Postcard Memories" and "Wild World" bearing the dual weights of nostalgia and hope with quiet confidence.
Holcomb and company may deliver a breezier heartland version of
Springsteen's east coast R&B-infused church of rock & roll, but there's no denying its focus on fellowship. [
Souvenir was also released on LP.] ~ James Christopher Monger