It opens with “Life of a Thief,” which has a retro folk vibe to it, where the listener can recall Cat Stevens. It is followed by the crisp, infectious and upbeat “Let Your Hair Down,” which will get their fans to stomp their toes and clap along.
“The Toast” is another uplifting, acoustic guitar-driven tune, where Ezra delights on vocals. His vocals on “Sacred Ground” are reminiscent of Dave Matthews Band. “Hippie Girl” is an anthem for the hippy goals out there, while “Flyin'” is harmonica-driven and fun.
Ezra penned “Wrecking Ball” after George W. Bush was elected president, and it is a compelling vocal. “Scandal” is rebellious, with an outlaw vibe to it. “Burn Brightly” has a beautiful melody to it, coupled with infectious percussion. They are able to dust off James Taylor’s “Sweet Baby James” and give it a haunting rendition.
“Steal Your Daughter” is a high-energy vocal that resonates with fans at their live shows, especially with Ezra playing banjo towards the end. It closes with the harmonica-driven “Western Man” and a remix of the opening track “Life of a Thief.”
The Verdict
Overall, Adam Ezra Group proves to be extremely talented as a whole on their newest album Better Than Bootleg, Vol. 2. They did a superb job when they performed live at The Paramount in Huntington, where they opened for Robby Krieger from The Doors. This album deserves two thumbs up.
For more information on roots and rock band Adam Ezra Group, check out their official website.
