Known to people around Texas and their homestate of Oklahoma due to two previous studio recordings and a Live at Billy Bob’s Texas album, No Justice has set their sights on the national scene with their latest release – and first for Carved Records – 2nd Avenue.  Prouced by Dexter Green (Collective Soul), 2nd Avenue features 10 strong rockin’ tunes that sit on the fringes of country and rock with “WWIII” finding No Justice sitting firmly in the ‘edgier’ side melodically while the lyrics certainly fit well within a country rock motif.  Lead by a strong lead vocalist in Steve Rice, No Justice also consists of guitarist Jerry Payne, bassist Joey Trevino, drummer Armando Lopez and lead guitarist Cody Patton.   The title tune “2nd Avenue” would fit right in with mainstream adult rock (like Kings of Leon) while “5 More Minutes” is grounded in an acoustic, more country melody and lyric. 

Dexter Green’s production on “Just Get Going” feels like the roots rock of his previous clients Collective Soul and The Wallflowers or Gin Blossoms while  “Coming Up The River” reminds me of something that wouldn’t be outta place on a Marc Broussard or Josh Hoge recording.  None of these comparisons are bad in my book as each artist has some uniqueness to them, something No Justice has in the songwriting and vocals of Steve Rice.  Nashville songwriter Rebecca Lynn Howard guests on “Coming Up The River” while “Love Song” is the kind of heartland muscular rock that just sounds good, especially when played expertly by a band like No Justice. 

While there’s nothing that suggests that No Justice really has a chance at mainstream country radio success, songs like “5 More Minutes” “Heart on a Chain” and “Going Nowhere” suggest that No Justice will find a home on Texas Music/Red Dirt stations while other tunes like “WWIII” and the title track could move on over to mainstream rock and adult rock radio stations.  2nd Avenue isn’t a record that will appeal to folks who love their music to be Country or Western but fans who enjoy a wide variety of songs should enjoy this sold national debut by No Justice.  It’s a record that sticks with you the more you listen to it, which is all any band can ask for.

You can support No Justice by purchasing this album at Amazon | iTunes.