Rob’s Album Of The Week: Sheer Mag’s A Distant Call

The 2020s look primed to be a decade where rock & roll makes a big comeback into the world’s mainstream consciousness. People are increasingly getting tired of cookie cutter pop music and mumbling hip hop that lacks any substance. Massive shredding seems to be in order to change things around in an age where popular music seems to be on life support. Will Philadelphia’s Sheer Mag be one of those acts that gives the art form the spark it needs? Only time will tell, but their sophomore album, A Distant Call, that’s coming out on August 23 via the Wilsuns Recording Company has what it takes to make them a contender for the role.

The way they fuse ’70s classic rock with punk personality is what makes Sheer Mag so great. Tina Halladay’s screaming vocals supply a vital edge while Kyle Seely on lead guitar unleashes amazing riffs. The new album has them sounding a bit more polished and that could be due to Matt Palmer’s contributions on the keys. Kyle’s brother Hart is the glue on bass and while the band doesn’t have a full-time drummer, I’m guessing that Giacomo Zatti who tours with them lended his talents on the record. It’s ultimately music that gives a jolt of energy and it’ll get the listener moving.

Is there hope for rock & roll rising to the top again in the future or will we have to watch bands like Foo Fighters be the face of it…