Station Road Delivers Real Rock 'n' Roll on “Whiskey Eyes”

Station Road
“Whiskey Eyes”
Independent
2025

Do you remember when rock ‘n’ roll was fun? Back before keyboards took over in the 1980s and autotune had yet to emerge? A time when new music on the radio was the soundtrack to your life, and you felt everything with an intensity that is hard to imagine today? While great hidden treasures are released every year, there is a shortage of new good-time rock ‘n’ roll. Finding such a release today is rare and feels like falling in love for the first time. Australian band Station Road’s debut album “Whiskey Eyes” is that gem and deserves recognition.

Two of this album's standout tracks are "Smoke in the Dark," which evokes a past love that lingers sweetly, and "Still Burning On," a poignant song of longing for a lost love and the agonizing pain of knowing his beloved is with another. But WAIT! Our hero reclaims the lady fair, and together they flee into the night. Now, isn't that rock 'n' roll?

This project is squarely rock for adults, as three songs, “Your Mother & Me,” “Till Your Wings Can Fly,” and “Chase Your Fire,” are from a parent’s perspective. These adult sensibilities are lovingly expressed by a person still in touch with their own youthful pursuits and perils. "Chase Your Fire" is a father's thoughtful admonition to his son to follow their passions and dreams. This is a beautiful sentiment in the spirit of Bob Dylan's "Forever Young."

The guitar-driven “Outlaws on the Run” continues the theme of breaking the rules for whatever fleeting passion may bring. "Get Off My Back" is a parting of the ways declaration, complete with a brief rap. The title track, "Whiskey Eyes," recalls more young love and heartbreak.
 
The album closes with "Living The '90s Aussie Dream." This brings back memories of misspent youth and good times with friends. Although not my decade, it evokes the universal nostalgia most of us feel for our teenage years. Whether it's Big Star's "In the Street" or "Living the '90s Dream Aussie Dream," it takes one back to a time and place of dreams and endless possibilities.
 
As of this writing, I can find very little information about Station Road. This is the Australian band, not to be confused with other bands by the same name. Oscar Hose is the apparent creative force, who is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. It is unclear if Hose played all the instruments on "Whiskey Eyes," but this is my assumption, pending clarification. In the meantime, this is likely my pick for best Rock album of 2025.

Finding Gold in Mariposa County

Bootstrap Circus
“Painted Face”
(self-released)
2011

Adam Burns grew up in the rural Peak District National Park in England. He moved to the United States in 2004 and today makes his home, creates music, and teaches in the one-time gold rush town of Mariposa, California. Burns has created music in various incarnations over the years; first as a solo artist, as the Adam Burns Band, which became Bootstrap Circus, and most recently in the duo Little Tiger.

Burns' rock and new wave influences, combined with his energetic powerhouse of a band, have created an upbeat and highly contagious sound on Bootstrap Circus’ third release, “Painted Face.” Burns' lyrics come alive through each band member’s contributions to the arrangements, skillfully creating a unique sound that is engaging and often joyful.

The collective talents of Burns on guitar and vocals, Kristin Ramsey on violin, vocals, and keyboards, Greg Archer on bass, and Mark Albosta on drums are truly special. From the opening notes of the gypsy sway of “Dirty Water,” with its strains of surf guitar and soaring violin, there’s a sense of embarking on a journey. “Don't Rock the Heater” is a plea to a restless youth, prone to trouble, to not "rock the heater, Jimmy Jones." This is followed by the beautiful "Sunsets And Shooting Stars," a straightforward song of love and devotion.

"The Dark Waltz" is a slow, moody, and mysterious piece elevated by Ramseya's violin. "Drink" is a devil-may-care romp through a wild night of debauchery and treacherous encounters. Meanwhile, "Brenda, The Teenage Arsonist" reflects on the secret passions of an outsider."You're Not Alone" and "Don't Call Me Zero" confront fascism. This is balanced by the light-hearted revelry of "Down In the Alley," declaring "I've got everything I'll ever need." 

With haunting strains of the guitar work of Duane Eddy, "The Godless Girl" depicts a small-town girl's rude awakening in the big city, and the closing title track continues this theme with its refrain "Oh Mama, there's no shame in what I've done." While this is a comedown from where the album began, it doesn't badly mar the project; it simply demonstrates that even a gifted songwriter like Burns can sometimes paint himself into a corner. This is the point where I return to track one and restart this enjoyable, if bumpy ride.

Returning to Romantica's America

Romantica
“America”
2024 Records
2007

Romantica’s frontman, Ben Kyle, along with his parents and six siblings, moved from Northern Ireland to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the United States when he was thirteen. He worked with his father, a doctor-turned-minister, cleaning department stores after hours to support the family. In addition to instilling a solid work ethic in his son, he taught him to play guitar and write songs. He has utilized these skills in his band, Romantica, and solo endeavors for over twenty years. Although the band lineup has changed, Kyle has consistently delivered intensely personal snapshots from his life, singing about what he knows best: family loyalty and the meanings of connectedness.

The band’s second album, “America,” was recorded entirely in a home studio built by the band. It's a solid, melodic collection of folk-rock ballads written by Kyle. It opens with “Queen of Hearts,” a song that explores the allure of a relationship likely to lead to heartbreak, despite its promise of immediate fulfillment. Kyle’s longing and heartfelt lyrics on "I Need You Tonight" express the emotions of lovers separated by distance, conveying his desire for her to know she is foremost in his thoughts and how he misses home.

“The National Side” is a deeply autobiographical song that recounts the Kyle family history and their move to the States. The title refers to the field hockey team for which their mother played in Ireland. The song captures childhood dreams of following in her footsteps in the sport and tales of his siblings' misadventures during their youth. Familial love permeates as the rhythmic guitar, drums, horns, and accordion guide the listener along this journey of reminiscence.

“Drink the Night Away” evokes the anticipation, excitement, and anxiety of youthful friendship and an evening that leads to self-medication and regretful intoxication. “What was Jesus thinking when he let me sink into the arms of the Lord?” suggests the inner conflict between faith and doubt.

Though it’s slow and brooding, the darkest song on the record, “Ixcatan” is strangely beautiful, with Luke Jacobs’s bass and Eric Heywood’s pedal steel guitar conveying the tension and gravity as it relates the story of an outlaw shooting in the mountains of Mexico. “Fiona” is a bittersweet song about youthful courtship set against the backdrop of living in a troubled Belfast at the time. The sweet innocence of walking a girl home where bombs are exploding into the night, and where “Even the cops were scared out of their minds.”

“The Gulf of Mexico” changes gears with fond memories of carefree summers spent with friends. “La Traviada” is about Craig Kelly, a professional snowboarder, who died in 2003 near Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, in an avalanche that trapped eight people, killing Kelly and six others. While the song concerns Kelly, it also addresses the cost of our passions and the price we sometimes pay for them.

“How to Live in a Modern World” is straight-up country in the tradition of Gram Parsons, followed by the meditative “God Walks on Water,” a spiritual reflection on life, love, and all the mysteries we don’t understand. “Tomorrow I'll know, today I've been guessing, one day's curse, another day's blessing.”

Our journey concludes with “Quiver,” a sweet, simple love song, and the ambiguous “Mateo.” Although its meaning remains elusive, it is beautifully rendered by Kyle’s gentle voice in harmony with the violin and cello, culminating in the last three minutes with just guitar and piano. This feels like a fitting conclusion to everything that has come before it.

While Ben Kyle’s talent as a singer, songwriter, and musician cannot be overstated, Romantica operates as a cohesive unit, bringing these songs to life seamlessly. The album's warm and upbeat feel is achieved through the artistry of Luke Jacobs on guitar, bass, electric piano, and vocals, along with Mark Hedlund and James Orvis on drums, and Eric Heywood on pedal steel guitar, Erik Brandt on piano, organ, and accordion. Jessy Greene's delicate use of strings melds perfectly with these songs, elevating even the most somber numbers to create something beautiful and uplifting. Not to be overlooked are the warm backup vocals performed by siblings Abby, Jayanthi, and Laurie Kyle on this album.

This album offers an incredible journey through Ben Kyle's reflections on family, friends, and their shared histories, and his keen observations of the world he inhabits. The songs convey deep love, introspection, spiritual conflict, healing, and a healthy gratitude for life as one who has found their place in this fragile modern world. Album highlights include “The National Side,” “Drink the Night Away,” and “Fiona.”