Review | 38 Special – Milestone

38 Special Records

Although they have not been on a hiatus it took some 21 (!) years for US rockers 38 Special to come up with a new studio-album. ‘Drivetrain’ was released in 2004, ‘Milestone’ just recently. In all those years the group around the only remaining founding member Don Barnes (vocals/guitar) has been regularly touring in The States, making a living. The line-up has been steady for the last years with keyboardist Bobby Capps, drummer Gary Moffat, second guitarist Jerry Riggs and bass player Barry Dunaway (who had just as Jerry Riggs a spell with Pat Travers). The fact that the group released ‘Milestone’ on their own label suggests that the major companies were not standing in line for 38 Special anymore.

HISTORY

Let us shoot through the long history of the band that was started by Barnes and Donnie Van Zant in 1974 in Florida. Van Zant being a brother of Ronnie and Johnny Van Zant shared lead vocals with Barnes. The first album ’38 Special’ was a good southern rock album but with the release of their third album ‘Rockin’ Into The Night’ the style had changed into a robust yet melodic rock approach. A striking detail was that the group worked with two drummers. With the follow-up albums such as ‘Wild-Eyed Southern Boys’, ‘Special Forces’ and ‘Tour De Force’. 38 Special enjoyed their most fruitful musical and commercial period. But the big break through never really came because the albums that followed (‘Strength In Numbers’ and ‘Flashback’-which was just a compilation record) were of less quality.

Personal problems between several band members led to the departure of Don Barnes who was replaced by singer/keyboardist Max Carl. Surprisingly enough with Carl and Van Zant sharing the singing the album ‘Rock & Roll Strategy’ produced a major hit single. The ballad ,,Second Chance’’ reached the number 1 position in the USA Billboards, although the album and its follow-up ‘Bone Against Steel’ were just mediocre. After the departure of Carl in 1992 Don Barnes returns and the band carried on ever since with new albums becoming a rarity. Donnie Van Zant retired from the group in 2012 because of health issues. But 38 Special always managed to find some touring opportunities and has been doing so in the same line-up since 2019.

JIM PETERIK

For ‘Milestone’ the band renewed their relationship with producer/songwriter Jim Peterik (Survivor/Pride Of Lions). Jim already wrote ‘Rockin’ In The Night’ for the band in 1980 and on ‘Drivetrain’ he also had a hand in the songs. This time he co-produced ‘’Milestone’ with Don Barnes and wrote and co-wrote seven of the nine songs on this record. So, the influence of the experienced Peterik is quite big.

THE ALBUM

I find it slightly disappointing that after 21 years of not making a new studio recording the band has come up with just nine songs that clock together just over 36 minutes…. That is very minimal if you ask me. The old characteristics of the group have stayed (largely) intact. With Barnes singing 38 Special has always been a band that has been able to combine ‘muscle and melody’ to the maximum. That is slightly less now.

The voice of Don Barnes is still fantastic and the overall sound of ‘Milestone’ is certainly very cool. My problem with this record is mainly that the old level of albums such as ‘Special Forces’ and ‘Tour De Force’ is not matched. Songs such as ,,The Main Thing’’, ,,All I Haven’t Said’’, the ballad ,,Long Long Train’’ pass by but leave no real impact. Opener ,,So Much So Right’’ rocks away in an old-fashioned manner and the ballad ,,The Look’’ is very nice but also slightly soppy.

38 SPECIAL – THE CONCLUSION

 It is easy and pleasant listening to ‘Milestone’ especially because of the great voice of Don Barnes. But I had expected a bit more fire and grit. The melody is there, the muscle has become less. In comparison with the old days the album comes over as slightly timid perhaps. ‘Milestone’ is a typical American middle of the road rock album with some old ingredients kept but also some ingredients ignored. And again gentlemen, 36 minutes playing length is not acceptable, is it?

Release date: 19 September 2025