The Mustangs 9/10
Speed Of Love Record Label: Trapeze Records
Released: 8 April 2013
Highlight of the album: Yours Sincerely Website: http://www.themustangs.co.uk Reviewer: Jon Seymour
You may remember a few issues ago that we featured Adam Norsworthy in the magazine, and he was really excited about the new album. Well finally it’s landed here in Firebrandland, and on first impressions it’s really very good.
your beer, or other choice of beverage, because of the emotion that is put in to the slower tracks. This is another quality album from these guys, and I know that the blues purists will likely pour scorn upon it over and over again. If you’re not a fan of the blues, then I would suggest giving this album a go, as it shows just how exciting the blues can be when you open it up to interpretation. It’s an interesting album, and it held me captive from start to finish.
Their last album Shamen & The Monkey received some glowing press, so the pressure is really on with this one. What I like the most about this band, is that they are always looking for something new to bring to the table. They’re not content to follow convention, and throw the rulebook out of the window.
The blues is a lot more than three chords and twelve bars, and this album is proof of that fact. Every genre is This is predominantly a blues album, but there are hints open to whatever you take from it, and these guys take of country, jazz, funk, and various other genres. This the blues, and mix it up into something really different. I makes the band sound fresh and modern, as they always could easily listen to this album over and over again put their own unique spin on things. This album is filled without tiring of it, because it’s so varied. Of course the wall to wall with great songs. It changes pace on a whim, subsequent plays won’t ever be as surprising as the first, and one minute your boogieing along to something with but I’ll bet it takes most people more than one listen to an upbeat tempo, and the next you’re sat weeping into really appreciate everything it has to offer.
The Russ Tippins Electric Band 9/10
Combustion Record Label: Arty Music
Released: 6 May 2013
Highlight of the album: Too Cool To Sweat Website: www.russtippins.com Reviewer: Tony Corner
I’d heard a track by Russ Tippins a couple of years ago which I enjoyed but was absolutely blown away by this album when given it to review. To me it sums up everything I love about music, great playing, great songs, a unique voice, fantastic musicianship and a very varied album with so much that you can just keep going back to over and over again!
So, just in case any of you have missed it, this album has really gripped me. Every now and then an album comes along that stands out from the rest and one that you know will stay in your top choices for the rest of your life, for me this is definitely one of those and a really, really strong contender for my album of the year. It’s going to take something very special to knock this from the spot for me.
The songs themselves range from infectious, upbeat, groove laden blues rock with killer riffs, through lots of progression, a hint of jazz at times in some of the lead runs, some chilled and laid back blues, all performed with swing and Style with a capital S and this album has become a permanent feature in my car and 5 weeks after getting it I still play it every day!!
10
Firebrand Magazine