American
Classic Rock Almost Delivers
Debut
Album of The Blackmail Seduction
01/04/2015-
Song River
A
fresh cup of coffee, seemed to be this mornings topic on social
media, and its importance in our lives. Fresh, starts with a passion
to make something the best it can be. Fresh is giving thought to a
process from its beginning to its end. A final product that makes
you feel good about the time you spent with it.
Feels
good, but could be better are the words I would use on The
Blackmail Seduction's debut album. It starts with passion and is
fresh good feeling rock most of the way through. However, there are
only four songs which deliver that hook to keep the listener in tune
all the way through. Classic American rock with an edge reminiscent
of the Refreshments and early Gin Blossoms sound. Not an original
deliverance, but one that seems to fit their style.
Jess
McClellan: Lead vox and guitar, along with, Troy Hardy on guitar,
backing vox, and keys create American Classic Rock. Rounding out the
blend is Mike Mennell: Bass and Blair Sinta: Drums and Percussion. A
full house of music from beginning to end. With a blended variety of
rock sounds from melodic, traditional, classic, hard- an album that
one would find comfortable for a afternoon drive, or a few beers on a
Friday night.
Friends,
the opening track eases the set into the next, California
Jackpot, that
contains a heavier driving line.
“Feel free to take down my pictures, don't need me hanging
around... and memories hold you down...” Hold
You Down,
simple lyric lines, simple rock. I'll
Be Right Here,
is a sure fire hit off the album. It holds all the key elements that
make it a radio play favorite. The influences of American Classic
Rock continue in the overtures burned through the track, Are
You With Me Tonight. The
Blackmail Seduction cover
with ease,
You've Got to Hide Your
Love Away (Lennon/McCartney),
holding
to the respect of what the tune deserves, and not diverting from its
original course. Personally, my least favorite track on the album
is, War at Home.
Driving guitar, typical layering, and Jess's voice doesn't lend
itself to convince or carry a harder rock tune. The song lyrically is
boring and without flesh.
The
Blackmail Seduction
touts to be one
part Los Angeles and one part Minneapolis. A mix of sunny west coast,
and mid-west chill. Their self-titled debut album had peaked at #12
on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart,
and it is deserved for a freshman debut. However, as they hold onto,
'let's keep it fresh passion,' music deserves- let's hope they work
towards developing what they are truly good at...and that is American
Rock, and offer a product to keep the billboards climbing, and the
listeners spinning.
*
Published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing
℗&©
2013 The Rocks Recordworks, All Rights Reserved
http://theblackmailseduction.bandcamp.com/
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-blackmail-seduction/id738602403
http://www.reverbnation.com/theblackmailseduction
http://www.soundcloud.com/theblackmailseduction
http://www.myspace.com/theblackmailseduction
http://www.amazon.com/The-Blackmail-Seduction/dp/B00GHJ5IVE
https://www.youtube.com/blackmailseduction
https://plus.google.com/112968038461887744980/posts
CD Review for Vents Magazine
Song River is the owner of CowGirlZen Photography. She is also a freelance photojournalist. Currently working with L3 Magazine, Vents Mag, Silverplatter. You can follow her interviews, reviews of great musicians, writers, artists on her blog, http://cowgirlzenphoto.cowgirlzenphotojournalist.com/. She is also quite active in social media working as a copywriter for several companies, and individuals. Never wrong, always right... and filled with a twisted satirical outlooks on life sometimes... you have to be thinking out of the box most of the time to catch her. A mess of delight and quandary at times, but known for her love and compassion to help others succeed. A die hard Nikon proficient!
Contact Info: cowgirlzenphoto {at} gmail dot com
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Charity Involvements (past and present) : Playing for Change, Be the Change, Human Society Fundraiser, Tsunami Relief Fund, Red Cross, Grieving Parents Photography.