Reviews roundup – Satin vs. Ted Zed vs. Troublesome Bucks vs. Kaye Bohler

Reviews roundup – Satin vs. Ted Zed vs. Troublesome Bucks vs. Kaye Bohler
SATIN
Satin
Verum Music

And we’re kicking things off today with some Norwegian AOR. And what can you say about a fella whose first release was a KISS tribute! Let’s rawk! And he’s really rather good at this eighties melodic rock thing.

The opening track ‘Fire The Shot’ is an absolute belter, and would have been a guaranteed US radio hit back in the day. The record sounds much bigger than you would have expected from an independent release, and even if he could have upped the tempo a wee bit in places, it’s really hard to fault.

So I won’t. Instead I will point you towards some great melodies and choruses on the likes of ‘Don’t Know The Words’, the best ballad on the album, as well as ‘Life Will Never Slow Down’ and ‘I Want Us’.

It’s an excellent release from top to bottom, and one that fans of eighties AOr and melodic rock should be checking out as a metter of urgency.

http://www.satinmusic.net
TED ZED
Believe
BMG

We really, really liked ‘Alien Monday’ by Ted Zed. I t was utterly mad and thoroughly enjoyable. And now here’s Edward Griggs back with a very respectable follow up.

For sure, it’s not as mental as the first one, as his electronica takes a darker sounding turn. There’s still enough bleeps and swooshes to keep me happy, and there is every indication that young Ted could have a very bright future ahead of him.

It’s still an oddly compelling mix of seventies pop and noughties electronica, and makes for a very interesting listen.  It’s out in September.

http://www.tedzedofficial.com/

TROUBLESOME BUCKS
Blind Faith
independent

From Norway to Northern Ireland. Troublesome Bucks first got together after attending a Rory Gallagher tribute show, so I should think that is probably enough to let you know where their vibo is coming from.

I could be lazy and point to The Answer. Well, I am lazy, so I will. Look! The Answer! And there are similarities, although Troublesome Bucks do throw in a few post grunge riffs hither and thither to mix things up a bit.

When they get it right, they get it very right indeed, as they do on the title track and ‘Soul Inside’, amongst others. The only duff track is ‘Suffocate’, which is too modern rock sounding, and seems out of place. But then they throw in some Lizzy touches on ‘deliverance’, and you forgive them their sins.

They are all good musicians, and for a debut album, this oozes potential.

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KAYE BOHLER
Handle The Curves
independent

And we’re going to finish up today with some blues and sould, courtesy of California vocalist Kaye Bohler.

It’s a nice old fashioned fusion of sol and blues, with a southern, horn drenched feel to a lot of the tracks, all of which are originals. There is some excellent guitar work from Pete Anderson, and Michael Murphy on piano adds some refreshing touches.

The best track is the opening ‘Diggin’ On My Man’, which utilises the horns to great effect. Over on the ballads, it’s the title track that comes up trumps, with probably the best vocal on the album. Things close with the most soulful of the songs, in the shape of ‘Don’t Take My Hope Away’, rounding off a very enjoyable release.

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