20. March 2026
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Media Review

John Hollier & the Reverie – Rainmaker

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

John Hollier & the Reverie - Rainmaker

John Hollier & the Reverie - Rainmaker
4.2

Rating

 4.2/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Versatile sound with a strong character
  • Good vocals and instrumental skills

Flyctory.com Cons

  • Some songs feel too similar

In my 20th March 2026 reviews, I share a new name on Flyctory.com. Despite John Hollier & the Reverie have been just founded in 2023, they are releasing their sophomore album on that date. Here is my review of Rainmaker.

 

John Hollier & the Reverie – About The Artists

John Hollier & the Reverie is a folk music and Americana rock act founded in Nashville in 2023. The head of the project, John Hollier, is a Louisiana native, who also has some French roots. In 2023, they released their debut album Hollier. In 2024, the band had their first appearance on CMA Fest.

 

John Hollier & the Reverie – Rainmaker – Track by Track

The twelve song album lasts 43 minutes.

1. Gonna Love You

The album starts with the melodic and rhythmic Gonna Love You. Despite there is a wide range of instruments and energy, it still maintains a personal touch. I especially like the use of brass and the plot coming with increasing energy lasting almost until the end. The repeating Baby, I gonna love you stays in your mind.

2. If She’s Lonely

If She’s Lonely is one of the tracks John Hollier and his project shared before the Rainmaker release. The song has a lovely flow and a lot of power. Especially towards the bridge, when the Americana rock track is driven by angrily stomping bass drums, the song creates a lot of attention at the listener.

3. Holding Too Tight

The slightly distorted guitar takes a leading role in Holding Too Tight. Thereby, there are quite song alternative vibes in this song, which also comes with the groove of a blues track, the melodic heart of folk and country and rough rock music vibes. John Hollier & the Reverie define their own sound, which works very well in songs like this one.

4. Crashing

The four minute Crashing presents ballad vibes for the first time on this album. Even though there is a full arrangement in this song again, it spreads nice vulnerability and a very personal style. I like it.

5. Can’t Say No Tonight

After the very powerful songs at the beginning, the album shows finer and more fragile examples of John Hollier & the Reverie now. Can’t Say No Tonight starts as a ballad, but more and more speeds up to a medium speed and rhythmic song  I feel that the first part of the song strikes more intensely.

6. Rival

The 4:35 minutes song Rival is the longest one on the album. It’s a slow, rather lyrical listen. I like the focus on a gently flowing melody, which more and more deviates from its original character. It’s a nice way to tell your stories with melodies.

7. Saturday Night Polly

There is much more speed and energy in the Saturday Night Polly the US-Americans share next. Again, it is not solely Hollier’s voice which defines and underlines the character of this act. A very rocking song, which is a bit in line with the rocking songs Rainmaker featured before.

8. Never See Me Again

Never See Me Again is one of the songs with the most country-alike, straight sound on the album. One reason for that is that the setting is rather traditional, the brass / saxophone parts are less present. The result is a fine, modern Americana song with obvious ock influences.

9. Somewhere Down the Road

Somewhere Down The Road is the last song on the album, which has been released as a single already. Again, the band nicely leverages between country-folk elements and alternative rock ones. The Americana vibes are slightly lifted by harmonica sections. To me, the ninth song is one of the most catching ones of the album.

10. Rainmaker

Finally, there is the title track of the album. The song comes with up-tempo elements. The saxophone part takes the melodic lead in this song, which – similar to other tracks before, comes with a nice energizing, increasing speed style. A good one with a well done plot and arrangement.

11. Lonesome Highway Waltz

The Lonesome Highway Waltz starts slowly. Again, the song does gain energy over its full duration. However, it stays at a moderate level and thus maintains the melancholic character it spreads at the beginning. It is another really nice write. Really like it.

12. Hollow Heart

Rainmaker closes with Hollow Heart. John Hollier & the Reverie leave some more space for virtuous guitar sections in this one. The closing song is also one of the longer listens of the album. Needless to say that this band does not allow having a lengthy listen. There is a lot going on leading to an entertaining finale.

 

John Hollier & the Reverie – Rainmaker – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

John Hollier & the Reverie – Rainmaker – My View

John Hollier & the Reverie presents a very versatile and skillfully recorded album Rainmaker. Here and there, just when you feel that the album is a bit of repetitive, the US-Americans present new features and ideas. Thus, if you like Americana rock with a strong character, you will very likely enjoy the album.

Favorite Song: Never See Me Again

 

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