Winston Ramble Makes Strong Statement With New EP 'See It Through' April 9, 2021 14:40

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Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
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The past year has presented immeasurable challenges for bands across the globe, and Birmingham's Winston Ramble is no exception. With the outbreak of COVID-19 causing a global pandemic, the world would quickly change, and no one would feel the effects more than that of the music industry. While concerts and music festivals came to a screeching halt, musicians were forced to take a step back and reevaluate their creative outlook. Live streams became the new norm, with the hope that music fans would also adjust and be willing to make online donations in order to keep their favorite bands alive. 
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Here we are thirteen months later, and slowly but surely, the concept of live music (with actual fans in attendance) is making its way back. If there is one positive that has come out all of this madness, it is the amount of time that musicians have found to write new, original material. It's safe to say that fans can expect an onslaught of new releases in 2021, and we're already seeing that theory prove to be true. 
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Winston Ramble has been a staple of the Alabama music scene since releasing their debut self-titled album in 2016. The band's popularity has expanded far beyond their home base of Birmingham, and they have continued to build a notable fanbase across the southeast. While a handful of singles have been released since 2016, fans like myself have been itching for a fresh collection of Ramble originals. Just a few weeks ago, the band delivered exactly that with an incredible five-song EP titled 'See It Through'. 
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The EP starts off with a warm, catchy tune called "Feel It," which embodies every quality of the band that fans have come to expect. Justin Oliver leads the way with some beautiful work on the mandolin, and frontman Drew Benefield's one-of-a-kind, raspy vocals are in full effect from the get-go. This marks the band's first studio effort with new lead guitarist Taylor Goodwin, and he and Oliver couldn't possibly compliment each other any better than they do here. 
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The band slows things down a bit with "Some Folks Say," which definitely has somewhat of a ballad feel to it. Once again, Oliver and Goodwin join forces to create a beautifully harmonic vibe for what is surely one of the more blissful tunes in the Ramble catalog. Goodwin's blistering guitar solo will prove to be a highlight for any and all future live performances. 
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Listeners will need to prepare and buckle up for the EP's title track, "See It Through." Oliver sends the band into high gear right away, and the rhythm section of Coty West (drums) and Max Chubb (bass) set the tone for an absolute rocker. This band has always done a fantastic job of leading their audience into a dancing frenzy, and this tune may be the best example to date. "See It Through" will no doubt be a highlight in the live setting, with Oliver and Goodwin dueling it out in epic fashion. 
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One common thread of any great band is their ability to take a cover and make it their own, while making sure to respect the integrity of the song. Winston Ramble has shown their ability to accomplish this time and time again, whether it be Grateful Dead, Alice In Chains, Jason Isbell, or even Blind Melon. While they have mastered countless covers, I honestly believe they have reached the peak with this studio take on Al Green's "I'm a Ram." It's almost as if Benefield was born to take on these vocals. While Oliver is an absolute beast on the mandolin, he's equally as dangerous with the harmonica. It adds the perfect touch to an already flawless cover, and I've found myself listening to this one on repeat many times in the past few weeks. There is no doubt that Green would be proud of this effort. 
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The final track on See it Through is titled "Ain't What It Seems," and while Benefield has delivered some fantastic lyrical efforts in the past, these are undoubtedly amongst his best yet. I believe that this is a tune that just about anyone can relate to on many levels. This particular line summarizes many of life's challenges in a clever fashion: "Ain't always the path of least resistance that takes you where you wanna be. Maybe that place off in the distance ain't got any grass that's green, and it ain't what it all would seem." West and Chubb once again provide a powerfully dynamic rhythm/beat for yet another Ramble classic. 
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The Alabama music scene continues to thrive with an impressive variety of bands across the musical spectrum, and Winston Ramble is absolutely amongst the head of the pack. While fans waited patiently for this release, I feel confident that I can confirm the band exceeded all expectations. The addition of Goodwin on lead guitar has only proven to raise the bar for these boys from Winston County. This is as unique of a band as you'll find in any region of the country, and the sky is truly the limit. With the world of music beginning to open back up, you can expect big things from Winston Ramble in the years to come. 
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Stream the new EP in it's entirety via Spotify here:
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