On Nov. 18, rock trio Highly Suspect released their sophomore album, The Boy Who Died Wolf. Highly Suspect’s first album, Mister Asylum, earned them two Grammy nominations for 2015. Highly Suspect explores many subgenres and decades of rock and does so without fail. Ryan Meyers, Rich Meyers and Johnny Stevens have done their homework and intelligently fuse various sounds and styles into their music in a way that makes it completely original.
“My Name is Human” is a take-no-prisoners beginning to this consistent album. “Look Alive, Stay Alive” seamlessly drifts from punk to smooth rock. Stevens keeps the song exciting and playful with instigating vocals.
Foo Fighters inspiration surges through “For Billy” and Highly Suspect does that specific sound justice. The Meyers brothers relentlessly perform on bass and drums while Stevens vocally floats through the song.
“Serotonia” has an arrangement reminiscent of deep classic rock. Stevens professes nihilistic lyrics and then echoes those thoughts with a groaning guitar solo.
Following “Serotonia,” “Postres” sonically picks up the spirit of the previous, distressed song.
“Send Me An Angel” shows off the kind of musical prowess that earned Highly Suspect their Grammy nominations. A thick, impenetrable wall of sound yanks listeners into Stevens’ anguish.
“Viper Strike” takes an in your face political stance lyrically and is backed up by an intense bass line and reeling guitar.
The Boy Who Died Wolf is an 11 track album with 11 hits. Not one song falls short of the others. Highly Suspect has formulated an intrinsic, enthralling style that keeps fans on their toes and they will have no problem sustaining that reputation with future albums.