Reviews roundup ~ Evergrey ~ Casey James ~ Home Cookin’ Band ~ Texmanians
EVERGREY
Escape Of The Phoenix
AFM Records
Evergrey have been on a good run since “The Storm Within”. They’d released a few meh albums in the years leading up to that but they seemed to have found a way of getting their act together. And that continues with “Escape of the Phoenix”.
Long time fans will be pleased to know that they haven’t messed with what works but what they do is concentrate on the best of what they do, filtering out everything else. With their trilogy culminating in the “The Atlantic” album they’ve also been let off the leash a wee bit to explore some new ideas. Of course, with this album having been written during lockdown, a lot of those ideas presented themselves.
Vocalist and guitarist Tom Englund is in lung bursting form here even though the album itself seems, understandably, wrapped in a shroud of melancholy. Even the melodies have a darkness about them and it’s only when guitarist Henrik Danhage goes off on one that things seem momentarily brighter. Of course a lot of people will be wondering what the duet with Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie is like. That’s ‘The Beholder’ that is. And, well, it’s a duet with James LaBrie. It’s not one of the standout tracks on the album but it’s still jolly good.
It’s when they really bring the darkness to bear that you get actual, genuine, 100% hallmarked gold. The out and out stunner is ‘In Absence Of Sun’ which has to go down as one of their best ever performances. It’s wonderful. That’s closely followed by ‘Where August Mourn’ which mixes emotion and aggression in fine style. The title track even sees them stray a wee bit from their prog metal sound into the realms of symphonic metal and they more than pull it off.
Despite the thoughts behind the record this is probably the best I’ve heard from them in a long while and I enjoyed the last few records. But this one goes several steps beyond. A stunner.
https://www.facebook.com/Evergrey
CASEY JAMES
If You Don’t Know By Now
independent
The name was familiar but it took a fair wee while before I remembered him appearing on American Idol back in the day. I know that in the UK the talent shows are awash with mediocre crybabys but it’s amazing how many really good performers pop up over there in the colonies.
It’s taken a long while for James to release this, his second album, but it’s a quantum leap to this. He was a countryish singer but now that’s he teamed up with the legendary Tom Hambridge he’s off in a blues meets soul with a country twist. Not a million miles away from fellow alumni Bo Bice whose post mainstream records were really good.
He’s got the perfect gritty voice for this sort of material which is backed up by some funky riffs, a honkin’ horn section and some sassy songs. They’re a wee bit shy as to who wrote what but as there are nine writers credited apart from Mr James I’m guessing that Tom Hambridge got out his little black book and worked his magic. And magic it is because there isn’t a duff track on offer here. Anyone who does remember him from his stint on the telly will probably find themselves drawn to ‘Don’t Break A Heart’ and ‘Girl’s Got Something’ which have a beating country heart.
But elsewhere he’s mixing up blues rock and southern rock with fine fettle on a record that is warm and inviting. The musicians involved really bring the songs to life and with his voice brimming with character this is a record I can’t recommend highly enough. I find it hard not to hit repeat on ‘A Better Place’ and ‘Come On Saturday Night’ which is the sound of a great night out just waiting to happen. A peach.
https://www.caseyjamesofficial.com
HOME COOKIN’ BAND
Working For A Good Tip
independent
A single? What madness is this? Don’t these people know that in the 21st century it is imperative to stuff a CD full to the gills with every piece of music, no matter how execrable.
Well no-one seems to have told the Home Cookin’ Band, a blues rock band from Chicago. Although lead vocalist Anastasiya Protasevych originally hailed from the Ukraine. Here she’s teamed up with Kevin Lahvic on bass, Michael Costelloe on lead guitar and Jeff Gilbert on drums.
To be honest, I’m not sure. She has a smoky voice and the harmonies work well. I’m just not sure it’s best suited to the Sticky Fingers type laid back groove that’s going on in the background. Apart they sound fine, together I’m not so sure. It’s a bit like Texas on their “difficult” second album. To its credit it does what a single is supposed to do, namely interests me enough to want to hear more.
TEXMANIANS
Brooklyn Heights
SHP
Well of course. How could I not know that a band called Texmanians who’ve released a record called “Brooklyn Heights” are, in fact, Norwegian. I mean it’s obvious. #obvs
It’s their second record following on from “No Man’s Land” which came out in 2017. Their thing is seventies blues rock in the manner of Humble Pie and their ilk. And they make a decent fist of it while heading off into southern rock territory now and again. I mean, while i was listening to ‘Rebel, I could have sworn I was listening to Doc Holliday circa 1981. That’s a good thing by the way.
The late Tony Mills (Shy) sings backing vocals on most of the songs here having been involved with them since their debut. The PR bumph says he was a co-writer on some of the numbers including ‘Passion Drive’, ‘Heartache In Detroit’ and ‘Road Racer’ although that seems to have fallen off the album credits. The other guest is Rick Benton (Magnum / Rebecca Downes) and his organ / keyboard work is a highlight of the record. Naturally, it’s a world away from his Magnum work but whether he’s pumping his piano on the title track or honking his organ on ‘On The Level’ it’s a real treat.
The guitar work is also good and the use of harmonies / backing vocals is excellent as well. Svein Heimvik has a good voice but it can be a wee bit one dimensional. You’re waiting for that moment where he pulls out the big guns but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. It doesn’t take away from the record too much as the band are very adept at pumping out top notch seventies rock and roll with good riffs a-plenty. It’s less effective when they slow things down but with a decent whisky at your side it’s 40 minutes well spent.
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The Rocker - The Artist Formerly Known As Zeitgeist. TAFKAZ 
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