Long live the 1970s. Is Strato-crooner Clay Howard actually Ian Gillian re-incarnated? (Editor’s Note: the Deep Purple singer is still alive). Doesn’t matter. Revolutions is the kind of record that would have launched a thousand wannabe rock stars had it come out the year Richard Nixon resigned. Mike Nicholson’s impenetrable wall of guitars captures the period perfectly, splicing bluesy riffs between anthemic chord patterns akin to Ritchie Blackmore and Toni Iommi in their sonic prime. Bass guitarist Jack Getz’ fluid lines evoke an era wherein hard rock bassists explored the upper and lower registers of their instrument with expertise and style (Dee Murray, Roger Glover, Herbie Flowers anyone?). Drummer Matt Brown stays firmly in the pocket, pushing the band with a decidedly swing feel ala Charlie Watts - but there is no jazz to be found here. Virtually every cut is a slab of feel good classic rock, especially if you can appreciate Purple, Boston, and Uriah Heep, regardless of your age or cognitive powers. If you have to download one track, make it “Rock and Roll City,” which melds kitsch and metal with tongue in cheek and imaginary Bic lighters held aloft. Kudos to producer/engineer Mitch Easter (REM, Pavement, Let’s Active) for keeping it real in the studio, making Revolutions this year’s uncontested guilty pleasure.
-- Tom Semioli
