Reviews roundup – Tess of the Circles vs. American Young vs. Gabriel Sanchez

Reviews roundup – Tess of the Circles vs. American Young vs. Gabriel Sanchez

TESS OF THE CIRCLES
Amplify
Vintage Voice

So, Tess of the Circles is Tess Jones, who a few years back put out a solo debut album (“Magpie”), which was one of those singer / songwritery acoustic things.  It wisnae for me.

Fast forward a few years, and in the company of Lee Clifton (electric guitar, mandolin, acoustic guitar and backing vocals) a rhythm section of Ben Drummond on bass and Paul Stone on drums, and with a production from Gavin Monaghan (Robert Plant, Ocean Colour Scene etc), and he’s only went and converted to the power of rock.

It’s got that seventies rock vibe, with some indie twists, so the songs jump around from the bombast of Led Zeppelin to the twisted pop of Mott the Hoople, right up to the godawful Paisley sound of the eighties.  Which means when it’s good, it’s very good (hello ‘You Take Me Out Of My Head’) and when it’s bad (‘Face The Changes’) I want to beat up a hippy.  However, it’s never dull, which can only be a good thing.

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AMERICAN YOUNG
EP
Curb

I remember Bomshel.  In fact, I’ve still got my copy of their “Fight Like A Girl” album.  But those days are gone and nowadays one half of Bomshel (Kristy Osmunson) is working in a duo with Jon Stone.

Between them they’ve got writing pedigree with Kristy writing for Joey + Rory, as well as the Bomshel hits.  Meanwhile Mr Stones credits include Kenny Chesney’s ‘Seven Days’, Rascal Flatts’ ‘Me and My Gang’, and Blake Shelton’s ‘Kiss My Country Ass’. So they know how to conjure up a pop country hit.

Which leads to this six track EP which is exactly what you want expect from the above.  Radio friendly country pop.  And there is nothing wrong with that, when they can chuck out songs as catchy as ‘I Wasn’t Gonna Drink Tonight’ and the southern rock lite of ‘Ain’t Lookin’ For Love’.  There is absolutely nothing original on offer here, but I don’t care.  I’m no snob, and like nothing better than to tap my foot and sing along to a good chorus.

The one misstep is the closing cover of Garth Brooks’ ‘The Thunder Rolls’, which misses completely for me.  That aside, there are at least three Top 20 US country hits in waiting here.  Well done.

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GABRIEL SANCHEZ
Immortal By Sound
independent

If you ever find yourself in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and are looking for the number 1 Prince tribute act in the whole state, then you’d be having a night out with the Prince Experience.  And who plays Prince?  Why Gabriel Sanchez.

But he’s stepped aside from that persona to produce a solo album.  One that sounds nothing at all like Prince.  Which is probably a good thing for his sanity.  Instead he’s went for an eighties stadium rock meets Def Leppard vibe, as performed by a US mainstream rock band.

And there are some good tunes here, apart from when he goes a bit Foo Fightery.  So, take a listen to ‘Oh My My’, ‘ Victor’ or ‘Sex & Shame’, and enjoy his real life persona.

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