ALBUM REVIEW: The Southern River Band – ‘Easier Said Than Done’

Words by Tracey Moyle // @musicmavenevents

So, imagine if they did ‘make music like they use to’, and it’s no bullshit, true to its roots, classic inspired, stadium ready, pub rock!

Quintessential Aussie rock is marking its comeback with ‘Easier Said Than Done’, the latest album from WA larrikins, and dual W.A.M Award Winners, The Southern River Band giving fans twelve tracks of pure hearted, authentic rock ‘n’ roll. This new batch of songs from one of the country’s best live groups, captures the heart and soul of that classic rock sound many music lovers find missing from their music today.

Their previous album ‘D.I.Y.’ debuted #6 on the AUS ARIA Chart last year, with vinyl sold out before release date after their single Stan Qualen exploded worldwide charting in 23 countries.

If you’ve ever caught SRB live, you’ll know that the feeling you have, leaving the gig on a high, hadn’t quite reverberated through stereo speakers previously. But ‘Easier Said Than Done’ has taken a big leap forward with the band finding their sound and recording that high level of energy. Produced by Nick DiDia (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen) and tracked live at Bernard Fanning’s recording studio in Byron Bay, you can feel that that live essence breaking barriers.

I remember discovering The Southern River Band on their supporting tour with The Darkness in October 2022. It felt like every rock track I had devoured in the last 40+ years had somehow turned into some brilliant musical mosaic. These Perth boys captured the essence of Aussie pub rock alongside classic American rock from the ‘70s, 80s, ‘90s and beyond. All done with frontman Cal Kramer adding his humorous Aussie shit-stirring banter.

They wear their influences on their sleeves and ‘Easier Said Than Done’ is enough to make any fan of pure unadulterated rock shut up and listen.

The band are tight as live, with this finally penetrating through on their latest album. The line up –  the dynamic and at times funny bastard, frontman/guitarist Cal Kramer, guitarist – Dan Carroll, bass player – Pat Smith and drummer – Tyler ‘The Hawk’ Michie.

Kicking off ‘Easier Said Than Done’, you only have to delve into the first 30 seconds of Don’t Take It To Heart and you’ll know what to expect.  A dozen songs with smash hit ingredients, catchy af, earworm hooks, rock vocals and brilliant guitar solos.

You will keep listening.

Somethings Gotta Give opens with familiar SRB essence, the pace of the track driving through from the opening riff changing pace in. Cal and Dan are relentless on guitar.

With Michie providing a steady heartbeat, It’s What It’s, Bad Luck Baby, Bye, Bye and Do You Miss Me? change pace in a way that makes you think back to Free or Bad Company days. Their smooth and bluesy, One Last Dance, will hold you until the last chord.

The pace jumps around with Suits Me Just Fine, a gritty, blues-oriented hard rock that draws heavily from classic American Southern rock. If you love The Black Crows then definitely give this one a whirl.

I couldn’t pick a favourite at this stage, but All Over Town, is up there. Cal’s vocals tell a tale, the solo pushes the flow of the music through you right until the end. The track has an almost ZZ Top like nod in the opening vocal that grabs hold, ready for the track to slam you in the face. You then have, No Such Time, a track that will smash it out of the ball park at live shows, with its harmonies, powerful, overdriven blues-rock guitar riffs and an anthem like hook.

Lay It On Me morphs from energetic guitar solos and riffs temporarily into an almost 70s glam rock hook. This track has an ‘70s Aussie rock vibe mixed into it. It changes pace it a way you wonder how it works but it just does.

Fuck You Pay Me has to be the working-class anthem for anyone who’s been ripped off. And I’m pretty sure that list is long. I’m sure I heard the band say at a past gig that this was directed at venues who just expected them to show up and play for the ‘love of it’. Loving it is true but doesn’t pay the bills. Great ’80 hair band energy.

Let’s just throw in a handful of nostalgia, We’ve Got Plans Tonight stole my heart away from the opening chords. Aussie rock at its best, with Cold Chisel’s Painted Doll or Rising Sun feels. Harmonica and everything. The pace is fast, bluesy rock n roll, which has the potential to start the worlds first jive-pit at their live shows.

Many a great rock album ends on a slow pensive note and One Of These Nights (I’ll Be Gone) is exactly that for ‘Easier Said Than Done’.

SRB sound like no one else, but at the same time they’ll have you remembering so many bands you either listened to growing up in the 70’s, 80’s and/or ‘90s or music you heard when your parents played their favourite albums back in the day.

The Southern River Band are the love children of the last 50 years of rock. If you loved bands like Cold Chisel, ZZ Top, Eagles, Skyhooks, Black Crows, Angels, Lynard Skynard, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, Van Halen and Poison, then they should be your new favourite band. Seriously, there is so much to take away from this band, you just need to listen. And for fucks’ sake, go see them live. You will kick yourself for not doing it sooner.

With their debut London headliner selling out in 4 days the band will return to Europe in Feb/March 2026, followed by the US. You can catch The Southern River Band live on homegrown soil kicking off tonight in Melbourne.

‘Easier Said Than Done’ is out Friday October 17 – PRE-SAVE / PRE-ORDER HERE

‘Easier Said Than Done’
Album Release Shows

Tickets on sale now via thesouthernriverband.com

Thursday 16 October – Howler, Melbourne
Friday 17 October – The Espy, Melbourne
Saturday 18 October – Uni Bar, Adelaide
Thursday 23 October – Crowbar, Sydney
Friday 24 October – The Brightside, Brisbane
Saturday 1 November – Port Beach Brewery, Fremantle

Thanks to Deathproof PR