Reviews

Andy Thomas Highway Junkie

Posted by on March 27, 2026 at 8:24 am

By Brian Rock

Andy Thomas, the lead guitarist for Yarn, takes to the spotlight and the open road on his solo debut, Highway Junkie. Drawing on southern rock influences from The Allman Brothers to The Marshall Tucker Band to Elvin Bishop, Thomas blends rock, country, and blues to sing about the joys of the road and the freedom it represents.

The title track introduces the album with explosive honky-tonk rhythms and frenetic Jerry Lee Lewis style piano chords. With a voice that’s part Greg Allman and part Hank Williams Jr., Thomas sings, “Getting pretty tired of this old blue collar, day after day just tryin’ to make a dollar.” Frustrated by the 9 to 5 routine, he decides to, “make a livin’ off these rhythms.” The rhythm section heats things up with hard driving bass and drums, and Thomas sets the lot on fire with his scorching lead guitar. Bearing more of his angst, Thomas reveals, “I’ve been trying to outrun the shadow of my father. Every damn day I get a little farther.” So, for Thomas the road isn’t just a path to somewhere better, it’s an escape from somewhere worse. If a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, the intensity of this first step will find him reaching his destination in no time.

Thomas keeps the party going with the greasy, 70’s pub rock of, “Hard To Tell.” The song is a fiery ode to all the ‘Miss Wrongs” out there. Thomas unleashes a Molly Hatchet style guitar assault on the driving, “Down The Line.” “Freedom Song,” recalls the Southern Power Pop of 38 Special. “Little Love Machine,” embraces the rough around the edges Texas blues of ZZ Top. “Dirty Work,” dives even deeper into swampy, Texas blues. “Kings & Queens,” leans into the outlaw country stylings of Shooter Jennings. Thomas plugs in and electrifies the Piedmont blues rhythms of, “Long Gone.” Done playing games with a noncommittal lover, he issues an ultimatum: “Just tell me that you love me or I’m saying goodbye.” Hand claps and Hammond organ give a gospel revival feel to the “come to Jesus” moment. Having proved he can rock out with the best of them, Thomas showcases his sensitive side on the ballads, “Twin Flames,” “Runaway,” “Last One Standing,” and the tender, “Nothing I Wouldn’t Do (For You).” The latter features a duet with fellow Virginian, Dori Freeman. After a life of running from love, love finally catches him. Singing in tandem with Freeman, Thomas confesses, “I never meant to fall in love now darling. You just made it so damn easy.” The highway junkie finally finds a reason to come home. And with the release of “Highway Junkie,” Andy Thomas proves southern rock is alive and kickin’.

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Brian Rock

Brian Rock

Brian was raised gypsy style, moving every other year until well after college. As friendships proved to be temporary, Brian found a constant companion in music, wearing the grooves off Beatles and Dylan albums before moving on to Lyle Lovett and Dwight Yokam. Living so often in flux, he has come to value music and lyrics of lasting quality. Not moved by trends or fashion, he is drawn to timeless lyrics and soulful rhythms. Although now settled down, Brian still expresses his gypsy spirit through his writing. He has co-written songs with musician friends he’s met along the way, including several contributions to the 2012 ICMA Album of the Year, Family Album. Brian also writes children’s books and poems, including the Children’s Book Council featured title, The Deductive Detective.
Brian Rock

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