@Ben B – mine was not

My first paragraph came from my backside while the second came from my heart. I am too old to know about these youngster tools (LOL)

i think some of these were Chat GPT generated

Have you ever wondered, what if Peter Gabriel made a Metallica record? How would the blue-eyed prog rock blend with radio friendly anthemic metal? Add in a healthy dose of swamp scum and you’ve got RJ Bloke’s Hold Drugs Dear, an alluring yet baffling concept album that follows an LSD tab from its conception to consumption and beyond, challenging the listener to reflect on their own day-to-day diet of culture, drugs, and fluids. Bloke asks the questions, holds our hands on the journey, but never arrives at a neat answer, and for the better. Crunchy guitars, jazzy percussion, and incessant jaw harp collide with results both nauseating and symphonic, making this one of the most something albums of the year.

The music pulsed with a raw, unfiltered energy, a stark contrast to RJ Bloke’s composed demeanor. His one and only instrument, the Appalachian dulcimer, provides a bluegrassy like dreamscape from which you can’t break out from. Bloke’s lyrics, a throwback to fear and haunting of the characters of Deliverance as they traverse the bends of the Cahulawassee River. The mind bending confessional poetry and surreal dreamscapes, were birthed from the tumultuous depths of a mind altered by psychotropic medications. Each note, each stroke of the dulcimer, is balanced between madness and genius. Bloke’s voice, a haunting whisper, carried the weight of a thousand unspoken thoughts, a vessel for emotions too profound to be contained.

Still stoner sound with Hippie lyrics—- Wait wait— yes that is it

I HATED HATED HATED this album! From the faux folksy guitars and recorder to the pretentious lyrics about defunct pharmaceuticals and bombing ermine farms, it’ll make you wish you had skipped going to the local hipster record store and just went to Target instead. The only thing anyone could like about this oversized drink coaster is the fact that you can play it backwards and get a decent recipe for a nice salmon wellington.

Hold Drugs Dear by RJ Bloke is a hauntingly beautiful journey through the highs and lows of substance abuse and recovery, set against the raw sounds of Americana. With the twang of mandolin and the soulful wail of harmonica, Bloke’s music feels as gritty as the stories he tells. Each song reveals a different chapter of struggle and redemption, offering a mix of despair and resilience that resonates deeply. Bloke’s gravelly voice lends authenticity to lyrics that are as intimate as they are universal, making Hold Drugs Dear a compelling exploration of pain, healing, and the ongoing battle of addiction.

The reflection of the lights off the album cover add something to the cover art – bringing to mind thoughts of UFO activity in the American southwest.

I was struck by the 3 e’s in “Nomad Eeel” but realize now that was likely a typo. We need triple e’s in more words, though.

Stoner sound……Wait No that is it.