Review: When Rivers Meet – Addicted To You
When Rivers Meet – Addicted To You
Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital / Label: Independent
Release: 2025
Text: Andy Trachsel
A couple of years ago I was watching a musical couple travelling in a camper from gig to gig on the BBC television. They were playing the British version of the Delta blues. Grace Bond mainly singing and Aaron Bond playing blues riffs. But with their new album ‘Addicted To You’ they have grown in developing their own sound and are very together in their songwriting, playing and vocals. They are the new glimmer duo of the blues! Grace (vocals, violin and mandolin) and Aaron (vocals and guitar) are assisted by Adam Bowers on keys, guitar and bass, James Fox on keys, guitar and drums.
Addicted To You is the opening track with both Grace and Aaron singing over a strong bluesriff and swinging drums. From the first notes you are into their music. It’s also radio friendly with a catchy refrain. The next track Break Free has a loose feeling like the band is playing live. Aaron does the vocals which is appropriate for the loud bass and guitar sound. The studio mic is open for Still Standing with Grace on vocals. The song rocks out of your speakers accentuated by well produced background vocals.
Coming Up For Air is folky with both Grace and Aaron singing. It’s painting with music and beautiful additional piano at the end. Then Never Change sets in a groovy blues shuffle. Nice vocal production, spot-on effects on the guitars and again a catchy refrain.
Preacher is a bluesrocker with cool guitar riffs. The composition has a dynamic build-up structure. And Aaron is an asset on the vocals. Tree Of Life is a dreamy song with a Fender Rhodes and Grace and Aaron in a beautiful duo vocal. Listen to the lyrics and when the song ends in crescendo, get inspired!
Soft White Sand isn’t so soft! Heavy drums, a dirty guitar and a cruel slide with some spoken words and a final refrain. So we Don’t Wanna Fight with this badass band. A have mercy melody with corresponding lyrics sung by Grace. Then Aaron and the band join in and the vocals repeat don’t wanna fight anymore, while Aaron is sliding to the outro of the song. Just Let Them is a fragile ballad sung by Grace in a soulful bluesy way.
The final track When Rivers Meet is a flashback of how they started, musically and personally. But they have grown and they want us to hear and feel it. Loud and clear, because their name is Bond, Grace and Aaron Bond. And we are addicted to you!
Tracks:
01. Addicted to You
02. Break Free
03. Still Standing
04. Coming Up for Air
05. Never Change
06. Preacher
07. Tree of Life
08. Soft White Sand
09. Don’t Wanna Fight
10. Just Let Them
11. When Rivers Meet
Grace Bond – Vocals, Violin, Mandolin
Aaron Bond – Vocals, Guitar
Adam Bowers – Keys, Guitar, Bass
James Fox – Keys, Guitar, Drums
Backing Vocals – Adam Bowers, James Fox, Dan Eden, Craig Garrod, Yazmyn Hendrix
Songs written by Grace Bond, Aaron Bond, Adam Bowers & James Fox
Except “Never Change” written by Grace Bond, Aaron Bond, Adam Bowers, James Fox & Tash Robertson
Website: https://whenriversmeet.co.uk/