Review: Wood Burnt Red – Hold On Tight
Wood Burnt Red mix southern rock and country on their debut album ‘Hold On Tight’
Wood Burnt Red – Hold On Tight
Format: CD / Vinyl / Digital
Producer: Tyler Spicer
Release date: September 4, 2026
Text: Martien Koolen
Wood Burnt Red are a UK- based southern rock quartet mixing southern rock grit with country and lots of swagger indeed. ‘Hold On Tight’ is WBR’s debut album and it features eleven songs filled with searing guitar riffs, powerful vocal harmonies, big-hearted hooks, and heartfelt lyrics galore.
The opening track, also a single, called Best Things is a true southern rock and roll stomper for sure, setting the tone for the album! Follow up Fire Me Up, the lead single of the album, is a magnificent powerful track with a standout soaring chorus that will stay between your ears for a long time to come.
Another great song is To The Moon, featuring a head nodding beat and some nice guitar swirls. Simple Place is an acoustic-based song, and One Chance is the “love” song of ‘Hold On Tight’ and honestly both tracks do not really belong to my favs of this album….
Bartender is perhaps the most country rock like track, while the final song Where Are You Now? is another musical gem, featuring a mighty chorus and excellent guitar work indeed!
In fact, the entire album features 100% memorable guitar hooks galore and if you are in for British southern rock guitar-based music, then you should definitely give ‘Hold On Tight’ a chance.
Play it LOUD and then you will enjoy it even more.
Listening tip: Where Are You Now?
Tracks:
01. Best Things
02. Fire Me Up
03. Count My Blessings
04. Bartender
05. Drifting
06. One Chance
07. Every Road
08. Time’s A Healer
09. Simple Place
10. To The Moon
11. Where You Are Now
Line Up:
Tom Franklin – Zang & Gitaar
Rob Graney – Sologitaar
Russ Staples – Basgitaar
Ed Baldwin – Drums
Website: www.woodburntred.com/
Read also:
Want to discover more from Wood Burnt Red and related artists? Click on the titles below to read earlier articles on Bluestown Music.
Single: Wood Burnt Red – Fire Me Up
An earlier look at the band’s blend of southern rock and country on this album track.
Review: Robert Jon & The Wreck – Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes
Southern rock with prominent guitars, vocal harmonies and touches of country.
Review: Blackberry Smoke – Be Right Here
More southern rock for listeners drawn to Wood Burnt Red’s musical direction.