The Black Lillies - Hard to Please album review: Solid combo lacks edge

The fourth album by this Knoxville combo suffers from a split personality. Hard to Please, now receiving a delayed European release, roughly divides into half country soul and half more Nashville-leaning Americana.

The Black Lillies, fronted by singer-songwriter Cruz Contreras, pack a punch when they let loose, as on the soulful opening title track, a dirty brass riff that sets the tone for the spitting vocal. The twang side is typified by the compelling narrative ballad Bound to Roam. Contreras is a solid writer, certainly above average, but he lacks a distinctive edge, as do his bandmates. He is particularly strong on southern soul such as Mercy and the more upbeat Hard Time, on which his co-singer Trisha Gene Brady shines.

Of the more countryish tracks, the rollicking 40 Days and the Jason Isbell-like Desire are the most impressive. blacklillies.com