When Rivers Meet – Saving Grace

November 16th 2020 saw me tackle one of the hardest albums I’ve had to review, in a good way of course as that’s When Rivers Meet released their debut We Fly Free on One Road Records courtesy of the husband and wife duo of Aaron and Grace Bond. Guitar and vocals come from Aaron and Grace provides lead vocals and mandolin to make for a refreshing listen to say the least. Fast forward a year as they release Saving Grace on November 19th 2021.

Their eclectic electric delivery snaps and crackles throughout these dirty dozen songs, a heavier approach than their debut album as it kicks off with ‘I Can’t Fight This Feeling’ (not an Reo Speedwagon cover). A stop start main riff leaves space for Grace to belt out her vocal like a force of nature.

A slinky slide guitar weaves around a hefty drum beat to make ‘Never Coming Home’ a surefire dance floor filler all rounded off by an angelic lead vocal.

‘He’ll Drive You Crazy’ is all smouldering soul that kicks into full on rock fury with an unstoppable beat and a fiery feedback riddled guitar solo midway.

‘Don’t Tell Me Goodbye’ is a ballad that blew me away on the first listen, the silences are deafening as Grace and Aaron duet over laid back keyboards, guitar and drums.

A bombastic main riff drives ‘Do You Remember My Name’ towards a laid back solo midway and a barroom boogie fueled outro.

Favourite track has got to be ‘Have No Doubt About It’. It writhes and twists on a cocktail of keys, snare and fiddle that ease back for full on choruses and a midway crescendo as another duetted delivered vocal is the soundtrack to armageddon, such is its power.

‘Eye Of A Hurricane (Friend Of Mine Pt2)’ sees this storm gather in strength towards a lead vocal from Aaron, matched in force by regal choruses.

‘Testify’, first single taken from the album sees them rock out hard and heavy for a full on headbanger of seismic strength.

‘Shoot The Breeze’ sees them lock and load as Grace takes the reins for a thrilling ride of lung busting vocals.

‘Lost And Found’ flows on smooth as silk slide guitar that blends in with the heavier guitar passages to whip up feel good vibes.

‘Talking In My Sleep’ is a mesmerizing ballad that is not of this Earth as a shivering duetted vocal is joined by a lilting acoustic guitar strum.

They end this sophomore release with all guns blazing as ‘Make A Grown Man Cry’ shoots from the hip to close the album on a bang, not a whimper! There are exciting times coming for the band as they prepare for a 17 date headline UK tour beginning on April 21st 2022 as a five piece band. A special warm up show at Hunter Club in Bury St Edmunds on December 18th 2021 will see them perform as a five piece for the first time ever as they play songs from Saving Grace.

Pre-sale links for Saving Grace, upcoming 2022 tour dates and band info are here :-https://whenriversmeet.co.uk I https://www.facebook.com/whenriversmeet I https://www.instagram.com/whenriversmeet/ I https://www.youtube.com/c/whenriversmeet I https://twitter.com/WhenRiversMeet I https://www.wegottickets.com/event/521793#tickets I https://open.spotify.com/artist/3r4hYfzQA1yuQFEKMDJzJi

Saving Grace album personnel :-

Grace Bond – Lead Vocals/Mandolin.

Aaron Bond – Guitar/Vocals.

Adam Bowers – Bass Guitar/Drums/Keyboards/Trumpet.

Saving Grace album track listing :-

I Can’t Fight This Feeling.

Never Coming Home.

He’ll Drive You Crazy.

Don’t Tell Me Goodbye.

Do You Remember My Name.

Have No Doubt About It.

Eye Of A Hurricane (Friend Of Mine Pt2).

Testify.

Shoot The Breeze.

Lost And Found.

Talking In My Sleep.

Make A Grown Man Cry.