Julie Rhodes Gives All The Feels at Album Release Party In Somerville, MA (SHOW REVIEW/PHOTOS)

Those in attendance at Julie Rhodes’ debut album release party for her new album Bound to Meet the Devil at Thunder Road on Friday night should consider themselves truly lucky, because it is likely that she won’t be playing intimate venues like that for much longer.

Abbie Barrett & The Last Date and The Silks warmed up the crowd with impressive sets. The Silks have their own particular brand of southern alt-rock that truly stands the test of time in lyrics and guitar playing with seemingly effortless fretboard work (think a darker Allman Brothers) that was not lost on the folk-blues fan base that came to rejoice in Rhodes’ debut.

Rhodes, unassuming and full of gratitude, took the stage around 11p.m. to a crowd full of fierce devotion. Her voice, though uniquely her own, can best be described as the love child of Janis Joplin, Adele and Etta James. The entire set was nothing short of evangelical.  The band,  at one point, included 10 people, consisting of a horn section, a drummer, an upright bassist, a harmonica player and two guitarists. They overflowed the small stage and opened with the slow, smooth blues number “Grinnin’ In Your Face.”

Rhodes’ sound is versatile and it covers a range of styles both on the album and live. Taking a departure from her usual roots jazz and blues-folk,  the band killed on their self-admitted “accidental reggae song”, “Hey Stranger.”

Though Rhodes’ voice is extraordinary, it would be remiss to not mention the amazing guitar solos scattered frequently throughout the 18 song set, and the true chemistry among the bandmates. This was clear on the upbeat funk song “Hurricane,”  a crowd favorite (think the upbeat of Parliament) which brought down the house with thunderous applause and calls for more.

Rhodes also treated the crowd to her two favorite songs. She explained to Glide Magazine before the show that the guttural and emotional “See the Sun,” is her favorite track from the album and the piano-heavy and authentic “Faith” is her favorite to play live.

Amie O’Hearn is a writer based out of the Boston area. You can follow her on Twitter at @AmieOHearn 

Photos by Rich Gastwirt

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