Starting his professional career in music at only 12 years of age, opening for B.B. King, Joe Bonamassa is without question a one of the most brilliant Blues Rock guitarist and songwriter of our time. Accomplishing a great deal in his 44 years, he has played alongside a list of exceptional Blues and Rock artists, earned three Grammy Award nominations, and has had 11 of his albums reach number 1 on the Billboard Blues charts. Now in 2021 he returns with yet another quality collection of songs entitled Time Clocks.
A quick follow up to 2020’s Royal Tea, and his fifteenth overall studio album, Time Clocks was released on October 29th through J&R Adventures in North America, as well as Provogue Records in Europe. Complete with 10 songs that last for just under an hour, it once again features production from Mr. Kevin Shirley, but also finds Bonamassa teaming with Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke, Bernie Marsden of Whitesnake, James House, along with Tom Hambridge to bring the songs and stories they tell to a whole different level.
It all starts with “Pilgrimage” launching the musical adventure with native chanting which cleanses the spirit, preparing you for what is ahead. That said, there is a whole lot more to come on Time Clocks that will leave a mark on your heart and soul. In fact, each song is extremely powerful and filled with strong emotions in each and every guitar note.
For example, the Blues feeling and vocals set within “Notches” offer a hell of a ride. This is while the title-track “,Time Clocks,” is chalked with epic arrangements and passionate lead vocals, but also well placed backing vocals that add a certain depth to it all. Then there is more straight forward “Questions and Answers” that leaves an impression that latest long after its short playtime.
Later on “Curtain Call” arrives with a theatrical melody that create epic visual imaginary within your mind. This is before “Mind’s Eye” gifts another intense track that digs deep, “The Loyal Kind” is an ode to Bonamassa’s fans, and “Hanging On A Loser” shows a more somber tone.
Overall, Joe Bonamassa gets his point across with ease on Time Clocks. Unique to his previous efforts, it is clear he does not want to play it safe as he continues to write and record. In enough words, there is never a dull moment throughout this album thanks to the guitar work, arrangements, and fantastic vocals that melt together flawlessly. Extremely impressive, and one of the best listens of 2021, Cryptic Rock gives Time Clocks 5 out of 5 stars.
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