Gary Clark JR's new album is very different, but still decent, B-

Above: the new single from The Story of Sonny Boy Slim

With a change of voice and music style, the Story of Sonny Boy Slim is a big turn of events for newcomer blues guitarist Gary Clark JR. For his sophmore debut, the acclaimed guitar bluesman ventures out into new material.

Everyone loved Gary Clark's first album, Blak & Blu. It was one of the best blues release records of the modern area. It propelled the new guitarist into stardum, opening up for such groups as Eric Clapton & The Rolling Stones. Now, Gary Clark Jr. has come out with his second record, The Story of Sonny Boy Slim.
Surprisingly, the record has its ups and downs. It's nowhere near perfect, but it's not horrible by any means. Nothing from Gary Clark Jr. can come out bad.
However, Sunny Boy Slim is so differant from his first album that it may leave fans scratching their heads and wondering what might be going on with the bluesman.
What's happening is that the man is venturing out into new material, something he can call his own. He's stepping into more R&B territory, which is very present throughout the record.
Sunny Boy Slim is almost entirely differant from Blak & Blue in many ways. This record has more of a narrative, and although it's been visited upon by many blues artists before, Gary Clark Jr adds a new interesting take to the boy with the guitar growing up and learning the blues.
His voice seems to almost change from the last record as well. It's more high pitched than ever, but it mixes well with the type of music on this new album.
Fans may be a bit dissapointed by this release, but his guitar work is more dominant then ever. It what makes the Story of Sunny Boy Slim not a complete failure, and a clear staple point of Gary Clark. The guitar work is amazing, and although not as present as it was in his first album, it's still very strong on every track on the record.
On a whole, the album is worth listening to for Gary Clark JR fans to see what new stuff he's come up with, but it's nowhere near as good as his first release.

B-