The High Divers – Chicora (Review)

When The High Divers’ tour van was struck by a semi truck this past June, they had been planning to release their sophomore album later in the summer. Needless to say, that accident caused some delays for them, and instead of releasing this album and getting out on the road they spent the proceeding months recovering. Now, just a few months shy of a year after the accident that nearly ended their lives, Chicora is here.

Named after the Charleston neighborhood where the band resides, Chicora takes a slight step away from the Southern twang featured on the band’s 2015 debut Riverlust in favor of a more diversified sound. With Chicora, The High Divers chose to dip their toes in more of a straight rock ‘n’ roll sound, with a bit of Motown inspiration thrown in to get the people moving.

You can still hear the South in these songs, though. With a voice like the one Luke Mitchell has, you’re never really going to escape the Southern twang, and I think that’s part of what makes The High Divers special. Perhaps the best example of this on Chicora is “Waiting for Your Love”, where you can hear the country and americana influence in not only the vocals but also the guitar that floats around throughout. “Bend” is another track where this Southern influence sits at the forefront.

Chicora takes the groovy rhythms of the 70s and 80s and places them right in the middle of a Southern rock sandwich. On tracks like “Never Let You Down”, that sandwich tastes like pure baby making music, while with “Weighing on my Mind” the bass line invites you to the dance floor. With Chicora, The High Divers have created a record that will resonate with fans new and old, both in their hometown of Charleston and wherever else the road may take them.

Speaking of the road, The High Divers have been on a massive tour for the past few months with Luke’s sister and her band Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones (The Sibling Rivalry Tour), and according to a recent interview with the Charleston City Paper, they plan to continue touring for the majority of 2018.

That tour will stop through Charleston on March 23rd for The High Divers hometown album release party at the Music Farm. In addition to Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones, 2 Slices will also join them that night. That means you have about three weeks to learn all these songs enough to sing along at the Farm. Get on it.

Tickets are $10 and available here.