Mike Farris
' second album of
gospel
-inspired
blues-rock
drew a surprising amount of buzz from both Christian and secular media, considering its lack of commercial appeal. This was due to a tantalizing combination of old-school
soul
and newfound
influences, which came as a breath of fresh New Orleans-style air. The 36-year-old
Farris
had fronted the '90s
jam
band
the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies
before backing into a lead spot with
Double Trouble
(any
follower is familiar with the rhythm section that lived on well after
Stevie Ray Vaughan
). Having heard little from him since his
roots rock
solo debut,
Goodnight Sun
, in 2002,
' fan base could not have predicted the warm reception given
Salvation in Lights
. The album was a combination of
standard covers and brassy originals that swept Southern influences from uptown
Dixieland
to the
Memphis blues
. What put the album in a league of its own -- besides
' brawny, rugged voice -- was superb
rock
production by
Matt Martone
(
3 Doors Down
,
Skillet
). The "salvation" penned in the album title referred to a moment at a relative's funeral in which
decided to overcome a personal battle with alcohol that had gone on and off for over a decade. One critic dubbed this "the album you wish
Taylor Hicks
had made," for the amount of enjoyable
that folks had been waiting to hear. ~ Jared Johnson