Tas Cru Album "Might Give Out... But I Won't Give In" Review

Artist: Tas Cru

Album: Might Give Out... But I Won't Give In 

Released: 2026

Website: https://tascru.com/

Tas Cru is based in New York state and a staple on the modern blues scene. He is a touring musician playing throughout North America and Europe regularly, working the blues scene like it owes him money. His music is a well mixed cocktail of both blues and roots rock and his delivery is as relaxed as the biggest alligator in the swamp. 

Track one, Might Give Out is the first single from this fine release and was the obvious choice, as it embodies the blend of the blues and roots rock impeccably. It is reminiscent of the great Mark Knopfler in both composition and tasteful guitar stylings. The vocal is a perfect fit for the laid back vibe that is presented on the album opener. Tas is a treasure of a songwriter, which seems to be a fading craft these days. It is good to know there are still some cats out there doing it this well. 

The very next track Lucky At Love is a more traditional blues approach in the sense it has a very well pocketed shuffle with familiar changes and the presence of a harmonica. The band's groove on this cut drives without ever pushing too hard and landing the song into the blues rock genre. It is a well played classic sounding blues that is swimming in class and confidence. The spotlight on this record is shared with all the very competent musicians, each seeing some time in the sun and adding to the whole production quite well. Again, never stepping out of their role of delivering well seasoned music. 

Another more traditional blues cut Two Big Feet is a standout track, lyrically professing his love for both rock and roll and the blues. Leaning on the classic blues changes with a surf beat marries these two styles exactly as they were meant to be. Most guitar players in the blues genre build their sound from the guitar down, but Tas seems to have taken the opposite approach of building the band and groove from the kick drum up, using the very well played guitar as a spice, versus the entree. It is an old school approach that is less about the ego and more about not pummeling the listener with the same old licks that countless players can execute at the highest levels. But instead choosing mature taste in his note selection. 

Tas Cru is clearly quite comfortable in his skin. The music he writes and plays is a shining example of a lifelong commitment to music. There is maturity and patience in it that can come only from decades of chasing it down, eliminating all the frills and leaving nothing but the simple truth. His playing is as tasteful as it gets at every turn. His vocals are natural, never sounding forced and stretched beyond the point of comfort for both him and the listener. There is no phony rasp, but just a confidence in who he is and what he is saying. If you are unfamiliar with his music I highly recommend checking him out!