Review of:
Peter Blast's
"A Plush Horse...
with a Monkey on a String"
Reviewed by Tawny Khat on March 31, 2009
CD front cover photo by VIP Photography & Graphics
CD back cover photo by Scott Legato
Provided courtesy of Peter Blast
Tracks:
1. HURT
2. Dead or Alive (A Tribute to Johnny Thunders)
3. If Only I had a Crystal Ball
4. Butterflies & Damsels in distress
5. Roller Coasters and Carousels
6. Lay Down Here
7. Chinese Dragonflies
8. Crashing Through Twilight
9. My Right Arm, Wrong Vain
10. The Last Word number 2
11. Silhouettes in the Sun
12. On a Derailed Train*
13. I Ain't Cursed*
*Bonus tracks (previously released on Peter Blast's "Pure Organic Junk")
We're going old school on you here with this record. And that's a good thing. Peter Blast has been blazing the trail of rock 'n' roll since the late 1960's. His influences include rock, punk, and the blues. He was a member of the punk band Degeneration. And, throughout his years of making music he's worked with or been associated with some of the biggest, and perhaps not so big, names in rock 'n' roll history including the New York Dolls, Johnny Thunders, Izzy Stradlin, Faces with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, Tracii Guns, Chip Z'Nuff and many, many more.
This latest release is Peter's sixth solo effort. It features some all-star performances by guitarist Steve Conte of the New York Dolls, bassist Bob Lizik of the Brian Wilson Group, drummer Dan Curry of Hi-Fi & The Roadburners, blues pianist R.P. Michaels of Blue Plate Special, bassist Chip Z'Nuff of Enuff Z'Nuff, and guitarist Top Cat of The Elegant Transients.
The album blasts off with a Stones meets the New York Dolls, bluesy rock 'n' roll track entitled "HURT", which is also my favorite song from this release, followed closely by the bonus track, "On a Derailed Train". I also really enjoyed the cover of "Dead or Alive". Peter does Johnny Thunders proud! The album is full of some very diverse songs that reveal the full talent of this great songwriter. One minute you find yourself listening to the mystical "If Only I had a Crystal Ball", which evokes images of a gypsy camp with a belly dancer cavorting around the camp fire. The next thing you know, you're awash in the psychadelic strains of "Roller Coasters and Carousels". The song styles run the gamut on this album, but yet you still feel all the influences that have touched Peter's life come together to make it a cohesive whole work. The talent he has rounded up to perform with him is top shelf, and all the musicians' skills shine. If you're a fan of classic blues rock and glam rock, then this is the album for you. If you've never heard Peter Blast's music before, you've got to give him a listen. If you're a musician and/or songwriter, you could learn a thing or two from this very talented man.
For more information, please visit Peter Blast's website and/or MySpace page.
Review of:
Used by permission.
Courtesy: Pretty Suicide
Pretty Suicide's
demo EP
Reviewed by: Tawny Khat on December 10, 2008
Tracks:
1. Glass In My Eye
2. Ready To Die
3. Tonight
Pretty Suicide is a four piece band out of Melbourne, Australia. The group, which got it's start at the beginning of 2008, consists of Bud Bladez (lead vocals, guitars), Scotti Anning (guitars), Billy Rose (bass), and Matti Kixx (drums).
They cite a wide variety of influences, including Guns N' Roses, Pantera, White Zombie, The Cars, Motley Crue, Prince,
Pretty Suicide's recently completed three song demo demonstrates the differing styles they produce quite clearly. The first track
, "Glass In My Eye", with it's Pantera-esque guitar riffs reminiscent of "Cowboys From Hell", is like Pantera meets Faster Pussycat. It's angry metal dripping with sleaze. The next song is even more hard core. "Ready To Die" is a thrash metal song, much in the vein of Megadeth, that's paired with a glam vocalist spitting out the lyrics with plenty of attitude. But, with the final track, "Tonight", the band completely switches gears. This song, my personal favorite, is glam to the hilt. It is very catchy and lots of fun. It's more like a Tigertailz song, with echoes of Cheap Trick.
Used by permission.
Courtesy: Pretty Suicide
Pretty Suicide is a young band, perhaps still refining it's style, which must account for the very different sounds found on this EP. I would suggest they gravitate toward one way or the other; either become more of a thrash metal band, or become a true glam/sleaze band. It may be difficult to devolop a strong fan base if they continue performing such varying styles of songs. I mean, it's hard to picture a mosh pit full of hard core t
hrashers in the midst of a crowd of makeup wearing, teased up hair, glam fans. I, for one, hope they go in more of a glam and sleaze direction. Don't get me wrong. I don't have anything against hard core rock. I like a number of Pantera's songs and even attended one of their concerts. It's just that I could see the song "Tonight" becoming Pretty Suicide's first single.
There's definitely talent to be found in this group, especially in regards to the guitar work, so I can't wait to see how they evolve as they become more polished.
Used by permission.
Courtesy: Pretty Suicide
To listen for yourself, you can visit the band's MySpace page at:
www.myspace.com/prettysuiciderock
Review of:
Pretty Wild's
"All The Way"
(to be released Feb. 18, 2009)
Reviewed by: Tawny Khat on February 15, 2009
CD cover artwork and photos provided courtesy of SWEDMETAL RECORDS
Tracks:
1. All The Way
2. Time
3. Let The Good Times Roll
4. Shockin' Teen
5. Dangerous
6. Take It Off
7. Let The Good Times Roll [-86 Mix]
8. Dangerous Live In L.A
Pretty Wild formed in 2006, and are based in Malmo, Sweden (again I have to apologize to my Swedish friends for the fact that my computer is not able to type out some Swedish alphabet letters properly). The band has performed many shows during the past two years, including tours of Europe and the U.S. They have even performed shows on some of the great stages of Hollywood, such as The Roxy and the Whiskey a Go Go. The band's goal is to help usher in a new era of arena rock. We here at Electric Pussycat have that same goal in common, so we love to hear bands who are pursuing that dream!
This new EP will be released on Feb. 18, 2009, however, the band is already working on new recordings for their debut full-length album that they plan to release later this year! Pretty Wild's members are Ivve Höglund on vocals, Krizzy Fields on lead guitar, Kim Chevelle on bass, and Johnny Benson on drums. This is a group of very talented musicians, and a phenomenal vocalist. The tracks are all very tight.
This band has its own sound and is not readily comparable to any other band. However, you can pick out bits and pieces of their music that make you think of other great glam bands. Overall, I'd say if you took one part Tigertailz, one part Pretty Boy Floyd, two parts Tuff, two parts Nelson, three parts Stryper, and topped it off with five parts Penny Lane, you'd have a cocktail that makes up Pretty Wild. Oh, and don't forget the cherry in the cocktail, made up of Shark Island, with the similarities between their song, "Dangerous", and Pretty Wild's track, "Dangerous". Then put in a swizzle stick of Skid Row for the track, "Shockin' Teen", which is a hard rockin' tune that's a bit reminiscent of something Skid Row would have done.
This EP has a little something for everybody. For the most part it's a truly glam record. Tunes like "All The Way", "Let The Good Times Roll", "Dangerous", and "Take It Off" are glam to the hilt. They're all very catchy songs that make you feel good, and make you want to get up and dance. "Dangerous" is my favorite track. It's got a great beat that get's you movin'! The EP also includes a live version of "Dangerous" recorded in L.A., and to listen to the energy in it makes me very much want to see this band perform live. Also, I have to give props to vocalist, Ivve Höglund, for the Miljenko Matijevic (Steelheart) like wail at the beginning of "Let The Good Times Roll". Very nice!
In addition to the glam, there are the hard-rockin' tunes, "Time" and "Shockin' Teen", both of which are also favorites of mine from this EP. "Time" is a cool head-bangin' rock anthem with a frantic pace and some awesome bass and guitar riffs, not to mention a bad ass guitar solo, courtesy of Krizzy Fields. "Shockin' Teen" is flat out killer. It's got some riffs that remind me of Skid Row, and very cool breaks, along with great drum tracks and another screaming guitar solo.
The band even slows it down with an alternate mix of the song, "Let The Good Times Roll". Those that like ballads will very much enjoy this track. Personally, I'm not a ballad type girl; I like to rock. But, this track is nicely done.
Pretty Wild has produced an excellent EP in "All The Way". It's something anyone who really loves glam rock 'n' roll needs to have. I'm very much looking forward to the release of their debut album later this year.
For more info, go to Pretty Wild's MySpace page, or to pre-order the CD you can go to www.swedmetal.com/prodDetails.aspx?prodID=16288.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Review of:
Prophets Rose's
"Paranor"
Reviewed by Tawny Khat on May 7, 2009
CD cover artwork by V J Black
Provided courtesy of Prophets Rose
Tracks:
1. The Wind and The Rose
2. In a Prophet's Eyes
3. Follow The Storm
4. Guns a Blazin
5. Heaven Sent
6. Where Have You Gone
7. Fallen Hearts
8. Italian Nights
9. Take It Easy
10. Tear Me Apart
Prophets Rose, based in the Northwest U.K., actually had their start in the early 90s. Band members Gaz Pickett and Dave Madge collaborated on songwriting and put together a three track demo entitled "The Prophecy", which gained them some local success at that time.
Unfortunately, numerous problems led to the break up of the band just before they were to embark on a tour. Gaz and Dave continued to be good friends, however, and when MySpace was launched Gaz decided it would provide a great avenue to bring the music of Prophets Rose to a much wider audience.
Gaz and Dave began work on a new album, and the result was "Paranor" released just last year. They are also working on another album, which will be called "Beyond the Edge of Time". In addition, Gaz and Dave are novelists! The re-formed Prophets Rose also includes member, Lee Pickett. The band will soon be performing live shows in support of their new album.
Prophets Rose's music is more in the progressive rock genre, so not quite what we typically cover here at Electric Pussycat, but I do have to say that there are some things about their music that I like very much. The first couple tracks are filled with haunting melodies and beautiful lyrics. Their style is that of poetry set to music. The third song, "Follow The Storm", starts off very relaxing and soothing, then builds like a storm gathering on the horizon.
The next tune, "Guns a Blazin", with its forbidding melody, paints a vivid picture of a gun battle in the old west. Then comes the track "Heaven Sent". It was this song that really grabbed my attention, because of the fantastic guitar work. Like most of their music, it's moody, but lovely.
As the album progresses the tempo picks up and the songs become more powerful. I found myself drawn in by the mesmerizing guitar work. I was quite impressed by the solos. The last track on the album is also the hardest rocking tune on the CD. It's a little bit reminiscent of something Night Ranger would do, and once again I became fixated on the guitar solo.
The musicianship and lyrics make this a great album, if you're into progressive rock, however the production value is lacking a bit. Perhaps they'll have the opportunity in the future to re-record this album, and hopefully the band will make an improvement in production for their next album.
To check out some of Prophets Rose's tunes, you can visit their MySpace page, where you may also purchase their album if you so choose.
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