Album Review: Pete Scobell Band 'Walkin A Wire'

Pete Scobell holds many titles: celebrated Navy SEAL, competitive skier, mountain climber and advocate. With the release of his new album, Walkin A Wire, Scobell can now add another: accomplished artist. Released on September 11th, Walkin A Wire contains twelve songs including the title track and a reworking of “Hearts I Leave Behind,” originally a duet with Wynonna Judd that went to #1 on the iTunes Country Chart.

Produced by Cactus Moser (who also played percussion), the twelve track collection features songs written by some of the finest writers around including Steve Moakler, Rodney Clawson, Dierks Bentley, Jaida Dryer, David Lee Murphy and others. Things kick off with “Ain’t Gonna Waste It,” a country rocker heavy on electric guitar which encourages one to not waste the time you have on earth. That’s followed by the mid-tempo (highly addictive melody of) “Guns & Roses” a song that finds him reminiscing about a female whose band t-shirt he still has…and wouldn’t mind her returning to pick up.

Processing friends’ passing is the focus of the personal, “Wild,” which although relates to Scobell’s time in the military, can be understood by anyone who has experienced loss. Following a similar sentiment is the incredibly touching, sadly emotional “Disappear” about people who are no longer in your life; while “There’s Gotta Be A God” is a poignant song about faith and realizing the beauty in the world.

There’s a positive rockin’ energy in “The Fight” which extols tenacity and a never quit attitude, a theme which carries over in “World In The Way,” stressing the need to actively participate in a relationship in order to make it work.

The album is rounded out by “Dive Bar” and “Friends With Money.” The former is a descriptive tale about that favored place where “They still play Hank and…..time just stops on an old jukebox.” The latter is a jazzy, humorous sing along penned by Travis Meadows and Bobby Pinson that perfectly closes out the record. “I got God/I got church/ I got gun if that don’t work/ I got a girl who thinks my jokes are funny/I got friends with money.” 

Walkin A Wire contains a balance of songs, those both lively and those with an emotional heft; songs that are straight up fun and those that are contemplative and introspective. No need to worry about walking this wire though....it's pretty solid. Give it a listen.

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