Five years ago, I interviewed Damon Johnson and asked, “Has there ever been talks of doing a new Brother Cane album or are you satisfied having Wishpool as the band’s swan song?” The long and short of the answer, per Johnson, “I’d play music with those guys anytime right now, but to make a record and put it out and market it and tour behind it. I don’t know. That might be tough.” Well, a lot can happen in five years, especially if your name is Damon Johnson. In the time since we last spoke, he became a full-time member of Lynyrd Skynyrd and resurrected Brother Cane alongside founding bassist Glenn Maxey. With newcomers Jarred Pope (drums), Tony Higbee (guitars), and Buck Johnson (keyboards) in tow, this revamped iteration of the ’90s hard rock powerhouse has been touring nonstop since 2022. Now, they come out swinging with Magnolia Medicine: The first album to bear the Brother Cane moniker in 28 years.
During their initial run, Brother Cane were quite the singular band. They were grungy and alt-adjacent enough to score hits on mainstream rock radio (“And Fools Shine On” could very well have been a Stone Temple Pilots song), but at their core, they were four good ol’ boys who grew up on good ol’ fashioned hard rock. In an era where bands like Aerosmith, Thin Lizzy, and Lynyrd Skynyrd couldn’t have been more unfashionable, Brother Cane proudly wore the influence of these bands and more on their sleeves, fusing high octane riffage, southern comfort, and just enough leftover sleaze from the late ’80s hard rock scene. This formula resulted in their magnum opus self-titled debut from 1993, while subsequent releases veered a little more towards the alt vein.
On Magnolia Medicine, the band certainly edges towards a more modern sound in terms of production and delivery, but without ever sacrificing the heart and soul that made them so special in the first place. The opening “If This Means War” is an active rocker done right if there ever was one, utilizing the Alter Bridge formula in a powerful and proper manner. From there, we’ve got old school rockers that wouldn’t sound out of place on their debut (“Take a Chance”, “Blinded By the Sun”), as well as thrilling outliers. “The Wolf on the Mountain”, for example, with its dark, ominous vibes, recalls the southern rock epics of yesteryear like “Highway Song” or “Freebird”.
Speaking of Skynyrd, Johnson’s bandmates Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlocke make an appearance on “Prince Charming”: A homage to their fallen leader, Gary Rossington. For all purposes, this song is less BC and more Skynyrd, but still fits the bill. Rootsy cuts like “Wish You Well” and “Your Cross to Bear” remind us why this band was constantly compared to The Black Crowes back in the day (Personally, I’ve always felt Johnson boasted more talent than both of the Robinson brothers combined), while “Miracle” even boasts a bit of Petty in its speak-sing vocals and delicate riffs. Come the closing “Are You in There Anymore”, Johnson goes singer-songwriter again, only this time churning out a winding melodic rocker reminiscent of Thin Lizzy at their most impassioned.
Magnolia Medicine is a most welcome return for Brother Cane and a worthy follow-up to 1998’s Wishpool: An album that, as recent as a half decade ago, Johnson was convinced would be their last. Although fellow OG members Roman Glick (guitars) and Scott Collier (drums) are missed, Johnson and Maxey have assembled a lineup that not only does the band’s legacy justice, but builds upon it with vital new music and explosive live shows, the latter of which I hope come in abundance on the heels of this album’s release. Of course, this all hinges on Johnson’s live activity with Skynyrd, but considering his talent for being two places at once, I’m sure he’ll figure something out!
7 out of 10
Label: Double Dragon Records
Genre: Hard Rock
For fans of: Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Black Crowes, Cry of Love
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