Ian Moss Rivers Run Dry

Ian Moss may still be best known for his role as guitarist (and sometimes singer and songwriter) in Cold Chisel, but he’s been releasing solo albums since the late 1980s. His eighth, Rivers Run Dry, continues to showcase Moss’ wide musical vocabulary, with many songs confidently striking out into different styles. After the opening title track devotes itself to poignant Americana, “Nullarbor Plain” flashes its road-anthem cred with several familiar Chisel touches, including Moss’ impactful guitar solos and Jimmy Barnes collaborator Clayton Doley’s barroom keyboards. “State of My Emotion” balances a loving soul influence with Latin-inspired rhythms and a gospel-style choir, while “Open Your Eyes” soundtracks romantic devotion with frisky funk licks. A couple of choice guest stars help keep up that variety, with Kasey Chambers thriving on the ominous roots-style duet “Bury Me” and Moss’ own son Julian joining him for a closing cover of Stevie Wonder’s slow-burn ballad “Blame It on the Sun.”