The Rootworkers
Attack, Blues, Release

THE REVIEW

The debut EP by Rootworkers, "Attack, Blues, Release", is a scorching descent along the banks of today's Mississippi. The quartet from the Marche region skillfully blends the tradition of blues and rock'n'roll with modern sounds and production techniques (directed by Manuele Marani of Homeless Factory). The resulting sound remains true to the grittiness of the genre's roots but is also fresh, captivating, and enriched with psychedelic influences that elevate the tracks to a higher level. The songwriting is solid, highlighting especially the excellent interplay of the guitars and, naturally, the vocals. The voice, warm and never brazen, alternates between verses inspired by everyday life (particularly work, a blues cliché) and more dreamlike and introspective ones that manage to amplify the emotional intensity of the work, revealing the most successful parts. Right from the opening track "Work All Day", the listener is swept away by the raw rock/blues energy of the band from Marche. The guitar riffs and driving rhythm are the cornerstone of the work, and they are powerfully present in the subsequent tracks "Lonesome Boy" and, especially, in "Dirty Ceiling". The latter, the fifth track on the list, was chosen as the lead single from the EP, and an authentic and effective video clip can be appreciated online. "The Woman I Love" starts as a rather classic mid-tempo (bordering on excess) with a syncopated rhythm, only to 'melt' into a captivating, suggestive finale where the atmosphere becomes more sneaky and rarefied, as if the guitars were slowly melting in the sun. This unexpected and considerably appealing solution has the power to elevate the entire track. The tracks "To Leave Nobody" and "Another Night" move along these same coordinates, evocative psychedelic ballads. Among the most intense pieces on the list, they feature exhilarating lysergic nuances (sometimes enriched by the electric piano, as in the closing "Another Night") and salvific feminine visions. Overall, "Attack, Blues, Release" is a convincing and intoxicating work that showcases the energy and feel of the Rootworkers. We are ready to bet that if their personal exploration within 'black music' continues with curiosity and passion, a more luxuriant plant capable of bearing excellent fruit will grow from the roots.