ROUTES & BRANCHES review of The BLOODHOUNDS “Let Loose!”
November 1, 2014
Scott Foley
When I write a review I tend to want to avoid saying what other bloggers say. I want to tread new ground, to reinvent the wheel, to mix metaphors … I want to put some thought into my writing, to do justice to music that moves me. Sometimes, though, the most eloquent I can be is simply to say, ” … Damn!!” From Los Angeles, I knew I’d like the Bloodhounds as soon as I came across their picture on the cover of their debut, Let Loose! My expectations were doubled by the fact that the album was being released by the tremendous Alive Natural Sound Records, home to so many other “Damn!!” acts who flirt with a deadly concoction of punk, blues and roots music. A band with Latin roots, the Bloodhounds can’t help but bring to mind “another band from East L.A.,” though the influence is less direct in their songs. What is there is that same love of classic R&B, early rock and garage punk, with cuts like “Wild Little Rider” and “Crackin’ Up” sounding like 60s era nuggets. Bucking the theory that you can’t judge a band by one song title, there’s the immediate classic “Try a Little Reefer”. The sloppy electric guitar, overamplified harmonica, underlying organ and gang vocals give you exactly what you’d expect/hope for with a name like that. Like J Roddy Walston or Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires, I want to blast the Bloodhounds from my busted speakers. I want to share “Bottle Cap Blues” with the neighbors and their contentedly clucking backyard chickens. Sure the music is derivative, but there’s no denying that Let Loose! has authentic soul. Damn!!
MAXIMUM VOLUME MUSIC review of HANDSOME JACK “Do What Comes Naturally”
New York Blues Rockers prove Gene Simmons wrong.
According to part-time rocker and full-time self promoter Gene Simmons “rock is dead”. The legendary Kiss bassist also pointed out that it’s not been a quick death either. A slow painful demise over the past decade. He blames record companies, file-sharing, downloads etc etc.
Whether he is right or not is a mute point, it’s certainly not a thought process that Maximum Volume subscribes to. One thing for sure is that he has clearly not heard New York’s garage rock/blues supremo’s Handsome Jack. If he had he may well of held off making such a statement. That said if HJ are anything to go by then rock will have to go back to it’s past to secure a bright future.
If you wished bands of today sounded like the bands of your yesterdays then it’s time to embrace this band for make no mistake this album could have easily been made in the late 1960’s/early 1970’s. The fact it wasn’t is purely down to timing, as everything is here for a classic album of that era.
SUZY SHAW from BOMP! interviewed in SHINDIG! MAGAZINE
8/10 review of RADIO MOSCOW “Magical Dirt” in The BLUES Magazine
RADIO MOSCOW feature in THE BLUES magazine
8/10 review of RADIO MOSCOW’s “Magical Dirt” in METAL HAMMER
The BLOODHOUNDS premiere their new album “Let Loose!” via Blurt Magazine
East L.A. combo the Bloodhounds— Aaron “Little Rock” Piedraita on rhythm guitar, Johnny Santana on bass, Branden Santos on lead guitar and Mark Schafler on drums and percussion—will drop their debut album Let Loose next week on Alive Naturalsound, and it’s a heady brew indeed. R&B/punk/Latin rock never sounded sweeter, and because it’s so sweet we are gonna gift you, the erudite Blurt readership, with an advance stream of the record. Check it out.
BLUES ROCK 8/10 Review of HANDSOME JACK “Do What Comes Naturally”
The band refines roots rock for today’s generation, boasting a classic, soulful sound. With vocals reminiscent of Eric Burdon and Otis Redding, they sure stack up in the talent category. The album features long bluesy jams, suave singing, and lyrics true to the blues.
POPMATTERS premieres SWAMP DOGG’s new single “The White Man Made Me Do It”
“The White Man Made Me Do It” finds Swamp Dogg once again marrying humorous social commentary and groovy soul.