Musically, Don’t Go Throwing Roses In My Grave also pays tribute to Greg’s classic rock influences. Hurry Me Down To Hades lays down greasy Southern rock while Oh Lord, What Do You Know? channels the barroom swagger of Warren Zevon, one of Greg’s favourite songwriters. However, this pace occasionally drags. Driving Through The Night’s Springsteenian radio rock feels set to cruise control, lacking kinetic energy that would push the song into that place where rock ’n’ roll becomes magic.
Fortunately, Greg’s clear-eyed songwriting never wavers. Stirring album closer When I Was A Guest In Your House rolls like a home movie, painting disarmingly vivid scenes from time spent with his grandparents during his parents’ split. With the smallest of gestures – an uncle ‘saying “Boys, they don’t sing ‘em like they used to” / Then I’d try to impersonate Elvis’ – Greg pulls off that magic trick, right before the final curtain falls.
Don’t Go Throwing Roses In My Grave is another proud notch on Greg’s songwriting belt. One that even makes pushing daisies sound good.
Verdict: 4/5
For fans of: Chuck Ragan, Brian Fallon, The Replacements
Don’t Go Throwing Roses In My Grave is due out on February 18 via Epitaph Records