Ricky Byrd

Sobering Times KAYOS

Hellhound on his tail.

As any recovering addict will tell you, staying sober is a neverending struggle. And this is not the first album that former Joan Jett & The Blackhearts guitarist Ricky Byrd has dedicated to his 33-year ongoing battle – his previous album was titled Clean Getaway.

While Sobering Times’ song titles (Quittin’ Time Again, I Come Back Stronger, Recover Me, Ain’t Gonna Live Like That) and lyrics brook no argument, the music is an open invitation to submit to the addictive power of rock’n’roll as laid down by the Stones and the Faces. There are also a couple of acoustic songs on which he leans into the microphone to reinforce his message, and a fine reworking of Merle Haggard’s Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down. ■■■■■■■■■■