The Weeks: Easy

The Weeks
Easy
(Lightning Rod)
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Every serious band, regardless of their talent, needs a helping hand to move to the next level. Nashville by way of Jackson, Mississippi’s The Weeks found themselves in an enviable position when Kings of Leon stepped in to provide that boost.

The Weeks’ two most recent discs (2013’s full length and a 2011 EP) were on K.O.L.’s Serpents and Snakes label, and even though this one is not, Leon has them opening selected dates on their 2017 arena tour. Along with this impressive new release, the exposure to like-minded Leon fans ought to provide enough of a push to get The Weeks onto the radar of roots-rock loving fans, especially those with R.E.M. in their collection. 

It also helps that the quartet has been out there banging away at the endless highway for a decade, honing not just their instrumental skills but lead vocalist/songwriter Cyle Barnes’ sharply observed, often poetic lyrics. With a sound that combines the more serious qualities of Counting Crows, Pearl Jam and especially that Athens, Georgia-based foursome (Barnes’ emotional voice and predominantly dark lyrics split the difference between Michael Stipe and Adam Duritz), The Weeks weaves its way through eleven tracks of edgy, soulful, thought-provoking rocking.

Those looking for a compact history of these guys only have to push play since Easy is a song cycle of sorts that details the ups and downs of being in a determined group that isn’t exactly selling out sheds … at least yet. It’s a tough grind and neither this outfit’s swampy rocking, occasionally enhanced by organ and horns, nor Barnes’ hard bitten words, sugarcoats their life. To further emphasize the communal vibe, these songs aren’t dominated by guitar solos. Rather, like R.E.M., the playing interweaves an occasionally light funk with a tight Southern indie-rock slant and emo-inflected attitude. 

There’s a taut, wiry punch to songs such as “Blame” and “Start Me Up” that shoots ornery energy through the performances.  But it’s the thumping R&B inflections in “Bottle Rocket” and the Van Morrison vibe of “Hands on the Radio” that delivers a cool twist to The Weeks’ music. A subtle Latin flair to the riff-based “Gold Doesn’t Rust,” along with poppy Turtles-styled backing vocals, spins the tune in unique directions, even if the subject matter of well, being in a band, isn’t exactly breaking new territory.

There’s no doubt the road-hardened Weeks exude a groove on these 11 tracks. Even with its musical diversity, Easy feels cohesive and this sounds like an act that has gone through enough growing pains to be comfortable in their skin. With the Kings of Leon’s helping hand, a solid live show and an album as strong as this, it shouldn’t be long before they are assisting a younger outfit and paying it forward.