THE ALBRIGHTS
ASK...TELL
2011
From the get go this band got up and took control of what they wanted to achieve. They leave no stone unturned, touching on genres like blues, jazz, pop, rock and soul. There is no need to look any further for a band who has the potential to follow in the footsteps of U2. The Albrights are not locked in tunnel vision as they express their versatility throughout there new release. Anyone who followed the career of U2 never second guessed the fact that the road they were on was carved out in part and fully on their own terms.
The Albrights are not afraid to open the minds of their fans, combining many musical styles together. "Hard Times" is an ear catcher that soon consumes the listener and quickly will find themselves drowning in the bottomless pit of musical depth unprecedented locally. Once your attention is captured the excursion is endless, commuting the ear to places that will delight for several rounds.
The dark piano chords of "You Don't Love Me" overlapped by some amazing guitar licks brings together robust soul that stays heartily brisk. Matthew Crane (bass) gives respect to rock, soul and funk while blending with Arron Odden (drums). The two establish groundwork that is structured allowing Joe Donohue iii (vocals, keyboard, guitar)) and Brandon Barry (vocal, guitar, bic slide) to formulate tracks that are not repetitiously the same song.
A page from Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Wolfmother and the Datsuns are ripped for "Good Woman" with the vocals electronically twisted, commissioning the guitars to keep up. The Datsuns' "In Love" from the Datsuns cd could serve as teacher to The Albrights "Good Woman" that is more mature but complimentary in style. Not a band to ride out on its laurels, they storm into "Wasting my Time", a vocally high pitch storm trooper that could easily make a push for top 40 status. I wonder as i get this deep into the cd when their luck will run out. Will I again have half a good cd to listen to, quickly disregarding the remainder of tracks.
Shockingly, that does not happen as "There will be a Day" brings the listener over the hump into a successful second half. At 4:45 into the track they display their versatility by bringing a bit of New Orleans jazz to the final 18 seconds before instigating a Creedence Clearwater Revival time traveling guitar based "Miss Rosie." Again I'm left wondering when will it end. Can this band keep me enthralled until the last drop of music is expunged from the cd?
Rob Thomas, look out! here come The Albrights, taking over your place as the band played on so many different radio formats. "Washing Town" is a fun and upbeat musical number that lyrically slaps the political wheel and lets them know we have our own big brother and we will make you accountable for your actions.
This all leads into the final track "Drown" and yes, its true, every song is a tour de france and when the cd comes to a complete stop, a moment of silence is necessary. Once you have recouped your breath there is no doubt you will take it for another spin because one round is just the flirtation.
RUSTY
2011