Music Review: Uncle Lucius, The Light

By Melissa Bratcher

Guitarist Mike Carpenter of Uncle Lucius calls his band “Southern rock for the thinking man” and that’s quite correct. There’s a rich vein of social consciousness running through The Light, with thought-provoking lyrics on each track. Lest that make you shy away from The Light, don’t; those lyrics are enveloped in some excellent tunes, played by a band that doesn’t shy away from kicking ass.

Singer Kevin Galloway has a great rock voice. Husky, bluesy, able to croon or roar, it’s a brilliant instrument. Over the slow groove of “Age Of Reason,” Galloway belts incredibly prescient lyrics, calling for unity and understanding, with added Stax-like horns adding texture. (The lyrics are so good I just wanted to transcribe the whole thing here, but perhaps you should buy the album and read the one helpfully included in the liner notes.) The electrifying “Ouroboros” shows Galloway’s versatility. It’s heavy and rippingly funky showing Uncle Lucius is no mere Southern Rock band; this is boldly forward stuff. Josh Greco’s powerful toms on “Flood Then Fade Away” sound lifted from another genre, insistent and propulsive.

There’s a country vibe to the cinematic “Taking In The View.” Catching up with Biblical players, it could be a particularly great episode of Supernatural and it gets better each time you hear it. We learn that Jesus has a turntable and a stack of vinyl, and the devil laments he’s had to sell off half of hell. It all builds to a wonderful dissonance; it’s epic, but quietly so.

“No Time Flat” begins hymn-like before building to a brilliant Americana sunburst that speaks to a universal truth: seize the moment, appreciate your loved ones, be here now. “Don’t Own The Right” also sends a message. Over cacophonous piano from Jonathan Grossman and swells of Michael Carpenter’s reverb-drenched guitar, Galloway lays down lyrics of acceptance and social responsibility in his rich, smoky voice.

On a typical album, “Nothing To Save” would be the final track. More thoughtful words, a dreamy manifesto, a warm way of closing an album in which Galloway lets rip with his vocals in a deep, soul rasp. It’s a good, if easy, way to wind down. Instead, Uncle Lucius brings things to a close with the syncopated funkiness of “Someday Is A Far Cry.” Upbeat and joyful, it bears a bassline from Nigel Frye that would fit nicely in Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground.”

With The Light, Uncle Lucius establish themselves as a smart, exciting band. It’s a compelling and praiseworthy entry, with fine songcraft and one hell of a singer in Kevin Galloway.

The Light was released on June 9 through Boo Clap/Thirty Tigers.