Tony Brook has a few gripes with the state of the union. On the Alabama singer/songwriter’s newest effort, “Guerilla,” he lays out his complaints and his general exhaustion with the gridlock of Washington and the economic conditions of early 21st century America. Or as Brook says bluntly, “the mule’s in the ditch.”

Tony Brook has been playing Auburn and the surrounding areas for more than 10 years now, dealing out his brand of blues-infused rock and becoming a staple at venues like the Supper Club. He has also been a frequent guest over the last decade at one of the largest gatherings of singer/songwriters in the world, the Frank Brown international Songwriters Festival on the Gulf Coast.

Throughout his career Brook has traveled Europe and across the United States, playing shows from coast to coast. He has shared the stage with some country music greats, including Lucinda Williams, Buddy Miller, Justin Townes Earle and Jamie Johnston. Brook has opened for Willie Nelson, Robert Earl Keen, Gov’t Mule and Ray Charles among others. Brook has released four CD’s on independent label, Rackettown Music, including a live album cut at the Supper Club.

“Guerilla,” officially released in March of this year, has been stirring up audiences for a few months now and really generating some acclaim for Brook. But the real success the album makes is by laying it all out on the line without sounding too preachy.
With multiple wars, economic recessions, environmental catastrophes and a general chaotic fight at home between ideological factions, singer/songwriters these days don’t need to look far to find inspiration. Brook attacks all of these problems in a six song collection that sounds as if it is just plain tired of being tired.

The first track from “Guerilla,” “Mule’s In The Ditch,” is a rocking bluesy slide piece heavy on bass and soul that acts as the perfect introduction to the rest of the album. “Hold On,” is a Springsteen-esque cry to persevere through stormy weather in one of the most intimate and accessible songs on the album.

On “I’m Tired” you can hear the exhaustion in Brook’s voice as he sings against clips ranging from the political to the religious to the commercial. “(SOB) Pennsylvania Ave,” which closes the EP, is sung in an almost carefree mood of acceptance, as if Brook has learned to just grin and bear it.

Fresh off his set at the Old 280 Boogie, Brook will be playing the Auburn Oyster Bar on Wed., April 27, and the Balcony Bar on Thurs., April 28. He will also be performing numerous shows in the Auburn area in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes and ears peeled.

The new EP from The Tony Brook Band, “Guerilla” is available to purchase on iTunes and CD Baby. It is also available as a free download at tonybrook.net.