Release
date: Aug 28th
2015. Label: Tee Pee Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
2113:
Tracklisting
1.
Trouble
2.
Photograph
3.
Buried Alive in Your Arms
4.
Jim’s Song
5.
Highway Strut
6.
Strange Revelation
7.
Man Like Me
8.
2113
9.
Turn To Stone (Joe Walsh Cover)
Band
Members:
Dave
Wheeler - Guitar & Vocals
Matt
Goldsborough - Guitar
Jake
Leger - Drums
Jim
Wilson - Bass
Review:
I
first heard Carousel back in late 2013 on Bandcamp. They had a 4
track EP "Tears of Stone" available and when I first heard
that 12 and a half minute title track, it knocked me off my
stilettos! Not only did I love their sound, the vocalist got my
attention, I loved his voice. He belts it out with confidence and
that perfect mix of 70's blues rock dude, screaming rock god of the
80's plus the grunge of the 90's, and a lot of laid back sexy stoner
attitude. With just one listen I got a sense these guys were looking
to create music that was reminiscent of the rockin' guitar bands of
the 70's like Thin Lizzy, Van Halen, James Gang or Steve Miller Band
to name a few. That kind of music is right down my alley, so I went
to find out more about this band and found out they had a full length
called "Jewelers Daughter" which was released August 20th
2013 which I quickly picked up on Amazon. No disappoint there
either.....just down right sexy, with punk attitude. But the main
focus was the heavy driving sweet ass guitar work and why not? It is
superb.
So
now it's two years later and here comes "2113" and they're even more polished and more creative than ever. You can feel and hear
the musicianship in every song. This is a great album and I think it
will still be on my mind at the end of the year when all of us music
people put together year end lists to announce the biggest & best
of 2015. What does this album have to give it one of those coveted
spots we all hold so sacred you ask? Well there are a lot of things
I love about this album, but mostly it's the guitars, yeah guitars
(plural) two of them! and wow, do they harmonize so well together.
The band is obviously using the experience Goldborough brings to the
mix with stand out guitar harmonies and dynamic solos in tracks like
"Trouble" and the killer title track "2113" which
is a super cool anthem type track that has some very slick guitar
licks closing it out.
The
album "2113" has a irresistible sound that begs you to
shake something, tap your foot, bang your head to. It's the
perfect album for impressing your girlfriend. You guys out there can
show us girls just how good you are with that air guitar....or how
bad ass you are on that drum kit you just made up from pencils on
your coffee table.
Speaking of drums....anytime I write
about or tell someone about a new album I've heard, I always want to
mention the rhythm section because I feel the bass & drums don't
always get the credit where credit is due. These guys have it
wrapped tightly together and show off just how good they are on the
track titled "Photograph" - with it complex, impressive drum
fills and thumping bass which makes it one of my favorites for sure.
Another one I can't get enough of is "Strange Revelation"
which is more of a ballad with its slow tempo and absolutely beautiful
vocals by Wheeler on this one. They're raw with lots of emotion,
and may be my favorite because of that, I'm always a sucker for them
epic, ballad type tracks.
Some
of the other tracks I want to mention are "Buried Alive In Your
Arms" which is a upbeat number that I find myself singing the
melody to once in a while, it definitely has some catchy lyrics.
Another catchy track "Highway Strut" reminded me of a James
Gang, or Steve Miller song and I even heard some cowbell in that
one...yup...I heard cowbell in there. This song is fun, it made we
want to be at a party, hanging out with friends, playing pool, or in
a bar listening to Carousel play live! Bottom line, I love this
album, its a must have that needs to be played over & over again.
I can't fault it, not one bit. These guys have it going on and I
think they have produced a super duper album that really shows us
what they're capable of.
Words by Soshanna
Thanks
to Carl at Action PR for the promo. 2113 will be available to buy
from Tee Pee Records from August 28th 2015 on CD/DD/Vinyl.
Links:
