The bluesy hypnotic guitar introductory notes conjure an imagery of a smoke filled bar in the deep south sometime in the 70’s as guitarist Adam Hicks gets down and dirty to build a memorable opening to One Bad Son‘s latest single Satellite Hotel.
One Bad Son is a band on fire and their trajectory is destined to give Rock n Roll the kick in the ass it sorely needs. Their previous album entitled “One Bad Son” featured 3 songs that charted very well in the Canadian Rock Charts – Scarecrows peaked at #5 in Canada, Retribution Blues at #6 and It Ain’t Right at #11. With commercial success on their power ballad tunes, the band who is much more hard rock/grunge influenced can now focus on the rawer sound that they obviously love. Satellite Hotel is an absolutely brilliant choice as the lead off single for their upcoming yet to be named album (we hear that September-October is the expected release date).
Within the first twenty seconds we hear Canada’s greatest “new” front man Shane Volk set up a slow burn drawl which transforms into a powerful pleading chorus which proclaims that some days you want to drink by yourself. The haunting nature of the song both musically and lyrically transports the listener and does not let you get back to reality well after the song is over.
The intricate foundation that drummer Kurt Dahl and bassist Adam Grant lay really provide the platform for Volk to soar. Satellite Hotel maintains its steady pace from the first minute but the mid-song guitar solo that creeps up out of nowhere and briefly captures the essence of Jimmy Page, is the true highlight of the tune.
The song was produced by Eric Ratz (who produced Monster Trucks’s Furiosity) and the result is a no bullshit blues infused rock song that could have been as easily released in 1979. One Bad Son have shown versatility in the past with their ranging styles, but their latest single has taken the band to an incredible new level and this song is destined to be yet another top 10 hit.
The official video will be out soon, but for now check out the T-Mak World produced bootleg of Satellite Hotel from The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto below. One Bad Son Satellite Hotel kicks major ass and can be heard in the Toronto area on 94.9 The Rock. We suggest contacting Q107 as well to get the song on their airwaves – here is the form to hit up their music director.
Verdict: 5 out of 5 and a best of T-Mak World winner. Satellite Hotel is an instant classic and a front-runner for the best rock song of 2014 – period.
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