photo courtesy of Cameron Carpenter on behalf of Born Riot

Single Review of Born Riot: “Home”

Sarnia is home of the Sting. Just over the bridge from Port Huron. And the home base of talented heavy rock band Born Riot. The foursome is comprised of Andrew Colborne (vocals, guitar), Griffin (guitar, vocals), Ryan McCann (bass), and Tyler Smith (drums).

“Home” is an aggressive, heavy rockin’ single with ample melody. It’ll catch your attention as subtly as a semi truck but as nimbly as a slalom skier – so picture an 18-wheeler deftly maneuvering the slopes, but as music. The song it recalls most for me is Pearl Jam’s “Evenflow.” So yeah, catchy but heavy.

image courtesy of Cameron Carpenter on behalf of Born Riot

Subtly, I also hear some Southern rock influence, but where would a bunch of guys from Sarnia would pick that up? I suppose, probably the same place I did, by listening to bands like .38 Special, though I sense perhaps a little more Brother Cane. Or maybe Georgia Satellites. But it’s a little rougher-edged than that, as if R.E.M.’s in the room, too. I fear I’m overemphasizing the Southern flavor, though, since it’s mostly a melodic heavy rock stew with maybe a dash of Tony Chachere’s. Additionally, though I mention a Pearl Jam song, it’s really not grunge, either. “Home” is a heavy rock song with a dominant riff and prominent musical sequences that remind me of a single Pearl Jam song that had massive crossover appeal to straight-ahead classic heavy rock fans.

tl;dr: If you’re a fan of heavy rock music that’s powerful but melodic, you will enjoy Born Riot’s “Home.” It’s as simple as that. Give it a listen!