[rating=6.00]
Not exactly fresh off the heels of their highly acclaimed 2013 release Essential Tremors (a triumph of headbanging southern rock and roll), J. Roddy Walston and the Business have certainly evolved with the much anticipated follow up, Destroyers of the Soft Life. It might seem crazy for a band that was so hyped to wait so long to release another record, but considering the extent of their tour for Tremors and veering on overexposure (their song “Sweat Shock” was the soundtrack to an oft-played Coors Light commercial), the break has served as a needed refresher for anyone who might have forgotten how good they really are.
Destroyers of the Soft Life marks a new chapter for the band, and one that feels totally different. Walston has become a father since Tremors’ release, and the four-piece band built their own studio space from the ground up of an old factory in Richmond, Virginia (their home base), so a change was expected. That fresh headspace really shows itself on this album, mostly in the form of their catchiest melodies and the embracing of a more pop-heavy sound. That’s not to say Walston and the band have lost their edge. They’re still making excellent rock and roll, best played very loud, and Walston’s voice sounds clearer and brighter than ever. But Destroyers of the Soft Life is a pop record full of shimmery earworms like “The Wanting” and “Bad Habits.” Both have the feel of a big pop anthem, not unlike some of the better tracks from post-Because of the Times Kings of Leon.
Songs like “Heart is Free” and “I Called You” may seem shocking at first, given their slower, more heartfelt sound, but it’s thrilling to hear Walston and the Business exploring this territory. Plus, there are plenty of raucous moments on Destroyers of the Soft Life to satisfy all listeners. “Bleed Out” builds to explosive heights of Walston’s signature howl, and “You Know Me Better” slyly creates one of the album’s most memorable choruses wrapped inside a harder, punk sound.
Ultimately Destroyers of the Soft Life ushers in a new era for a band with a legion of devoted followers. It’s a tad more emotional and shinier than anything they’ve done in the past, and the polished finished product isn’t shying away from the spotlight.
