The Revivalists' sonic love letter to New Orleans.
For some, New Orleans is about the food. For others, it's about the music. Either-or, sampling each gives you a unique insight into the legendary city and its rich culture. But what dish do you taste? Who do you listen to in order to understand what makes the Louisiana city so special? The area has produced a long list of notable artists, such as Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, Harry Connick Jr., and the Neville Brothers. These artists established themselves as mainstream musicians over the years; however, more recently, the sound of the "Big Easy" has been captured by The Revivalists, an eight-member band that provides the groove and horns you love with some new sounds you wouldn't necessarily expect from such a troupe.
The Revivalists' distinct sound and latest album, Pour It Out Into the Night, is redefining the music from the area, showing new sonic possibilities for the vibrant New Orleans sonic palette.
"I want these songs to help people feel peace at the end of the day because we are all in this together," explained singer and songwriter David Shaw. "We all go through things at different times in our lives. I was certainly going through some things, and I was thinking a lot about everyone going through something when I was writing."
"I hope that the album makes people feel a nostalgic hopefulness that is rooted in living in your truth and living for who you are and what you're about," he added.
Initially, Pour It Out Into the Night feels like it is taking you down a road you've been before — a path where you know what's around the bend. But as you traverse further, it becomes clear that this route has some familiar faces as well as some unexpected terrain. From the bluegrass of "Down in the Dirt" to the beach vibes on "Wait for the Sun" to synths on "Good Old Days," to the big pop-funk of "Only You" to uplifting gospel on "The Long Con," this dynamic, rollicking record remains cohesive throughout, staying true to the album's themes of gratitude and kinship with your fellow human beings.
"'The Long Con' is a song for the marginalized, the underrepresented, and the taken-advantage-of," the songwriter explained. "It's heartbreaking to see what's happening in our country. I wanted to write a song that we could all sing together at our concerts, and truly feel connected and aligned. It's a song for the people."
"Only You" is a particularly touching, haunting track in which Shaw reconciles spiritual, emotional, and physical challenges. One of the album's best songs is easily "Don't Look Back," a punk-rocking track that gets the momentum going earlier on as the second track. It radiates the energy of Springsteen with strong, bluesy vocals and a gnarly sax to match.
The second-to-last song, "Say Goodbye," feels like the traditional end to a record, but the final song "Pour It Out Into the Night" feels like a welcome extended farewell when a conversation goes a little longer or they decide to stay for one more drink before heading home. With the sing-along choruses and catchy melodies, it's no surprise "Kid" became a big hit as well as a fan favorite at their live shows.
No matter what genre you love most or the scene you identify with, the route you are led down on Pour It Out Into the Night will be satisfying in the end, leaving all uncertainty behind and uncovering an open mind down the road.
Review by Gen Handley. Photo by Alysse Gafkjen.
, Southern Coastal Music 24/7.
Originally published in Beach Happy Magazine, Issue 14 — Fall 2023.
