Rob Larkin & The Wayward Ones – “Long Time Gone”
Rob Larkin & The Wayward Ones – “Long Time Gone” – Single Review
Solid rhythm & groove here on the new tune from Rob Larkin & The Wayward Ones – PLUS it’s like, a complete audiophile’s dream to listen to…you gotta dig tones & frequencies like this song has.
The new single “Long Time Gone” flexes a fantastic combo of skill & sound at every turn. It’s my first time out checking into the sound & style of Rob Larkin & The Wayward Ones…but a quick peek at their Facebook page will certainly reveal that the sonic excellence you’ll find in this crew is certainly no accident. Rob’s been doin’ the guitar thang for years and become quite the successful session player – and those that know their way around a studio already understand that you don’t become a true studio ace like he is without having tremendously reliable talent and a genuine ear for sound. It doesn’t take more than ten seconds of “Long Time Gone” to discover that this guy completely knows what’s up when it comes to vibrant, imaginative, and tone-filled guitar licks, riffs, and chords – this guy slays the axe!
Their new cut comes from the upcoming album, Lights Are Burning – and just like a great single should, this taste of what’s to come sure makes you wanna listen to more. Blues-rock ain’t always my thing, but I like this single quite a bit – there’s a real uplifting & refreshing vibe in their approach and the genuine combination of enthusiasm and passion combined make for an excellent listening experience. If it’s your first experience with Rob Larkin & The Wayward Ones like it was mine, it’s bound to make an impact on ya…and if you’re already an existing fan, I can only imagine this is just more of a great thing.
I mean, we’re ACTUALLY talking about a song that is bursting at the seams with personality by FIVE SECONDS IN. The incredibly wild guitar notes come out immediately, eventually surrounded by quality skills of all kinds through the reliable groove in the bass and steady beat of the drums. Not gonna say that the name of this project will point you in the direction of what to keep your ears glued to…but…well…let’s just say there’s little to nothing that could be done to stop the star from being the star here. Rob Larkin is a freakin’ guitar genius and I’m sure The Wayward Ones are happy to let the man into the spotlight where he belongs, knowing they’re supporting that talent he’s got at every turn. Even with the wildness of that guitar, The Wayward Ones bring a smooth balance to the overall sound.
That being said – I think a lot of ears would appreciate what’s happening here on “Long Time Gone” – it’s a highly accessible rhythm & groove that never goes too far over the top to become unappealing. Like, if you’re one of those people that gets cautious on music with real instrumentation and verifiable hooks that require authentic musicianship (for whatever reason on earth that would be I don’t know but these people DO exist) – don’t be afraid of Rob Larkin & The Wayward Ones, they’ve got you in mind. By keeping the rhythm flowing in the music and the vocals hip to the sound, this crew delivers high quality entertainment that’s fun, inviting, and enjoyable on several levels. Personally I feel like, no matter who you are or what your background in music might be or what you normally listen to – “Long Time Gone” has such a universally accessible groove and is executed with such style & professionalism that it’s bound to snag just about every set of ears available to listen. Certainly ain’t nothing wrong with that!
And for those of you out there like me who are addicted to the pure joys of sound itself…those amazing tones that fill the atmosphere on “Long Time Gone” will more than hit the mark of satisfaction. It’s a great tune and definitely single-worthy…Rob Larkin & The Wayward Ones get a thumbs-up from me.
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