On his first, self-titled
album, Brad Wilson delivers an energetic, driving brand of guitar-slingin'
California Rock-n-Roll. Wilson has compiled a solid set of
straight-ahead rock songs in a classic radio rock format that
feature his gratifying rhythms, accessible progressions, guitar-centric
grooves, and intensive leadwork. The effort is a revival of the
classic style of rock when rock was really rock and rock was
built around endorphin-motivating guitar grooves and climactic
leadwork. The retro-classic rock style is reminiscent of the
Black Crowes, though with a California twist that has a feel of
wind in your hair Harley Davidson motorcycling and bars on the
beach at sunset. The ensemble serves up this gut-gripping barrage
of hard-rocking vocal tracks with a fine array of quality chops
and finely honed and polished fretwork. Wilson's repertoire of
leadwork is balanced with aggressive, gritty riffs, speedy
shredwork, well-felt stretches, and captivating melodies that are
worked together in coherent, fluid arrangements. The vocals have
a great deep-toned, sultry rock style and feel that is unique yet
familiar, reminiscent of both Ronnie Van Zant and Jeff Healey.
The album opens with a
number of high-energy, vocal tracks that build momentum to the
seventh track, "Last Call", that changes pace with a
ballade featuring some well-felt melodies reminiscent of Skynyrd.
The ensuing tracks then return to the driving, hard rock style
that are laden with foot stomping grooves, grinding riffs, and
spirited vocals. The tracks embrace a consistent conventional
rock style and format, though there is enough diversity within
and across the tracks that the album has a satisfying depth of
musical experience to it.
Overall, Wilson delivers
an inspired performance and the album provides the listener with
a solid lineup of quality rock tracks. Gone are the days when
guitar-centric hard rock ruled the airwaves, though Wilson's
efforts on this album gives the classic rock format a new voice
that begs to be heard. The composition, guitar work, vocals, and
other instrumentation are surely worth of radio air time and I
hope that the group finds their way to that medium. Radio days of
recent years have been too long without the feel good, hard rock
that built the music industry. Additionally, I suspect Wilson's
band is a great act to catch live with the lively brand of hard
rock they deliver.
| Players: |
|
|
| Brad
Wilson |
|
Singer,
Songwriter, Guitarist |
| Rick
Brannon |
|
Guitars |
| Mario
Zamora |
|
Keyboards
/ Piano |
| Brian
James |
|
Bass |
| JJ Garcia |
|
Drums |
| Francesco
Capasso |
|
Vocals |
| Bruce
Robb |
|
Keyboards |
|
| Tracks: |
| 1) Black
Coffee At Sunrise |
| 2)
Sundown And The Cowboy |
| 3) Got
The Feeling |
| 4) Hands
On The Wheel |
| 5) Rocket |
| 6) The
Healer |
| 7) Last
Call |
| 8) All
Kinds Of A Fool |
| 9)
Cruisin' The Coast |
| 10)
Southern Cali Girl |
| 11) Slide
On Over |
| 12) House
Of Love |
| 13) Two
Belong |
|
| ~ Christopher
Ruel ~ www.ChrisRuel.com
~ Chris@ChrisRuel.com
~ January 2006 |
