BLACKWOOD CREEK - review added 20th November 2009
Album Review: Blackwood Creek (self-titled) (2009)
For fans of: Hard Rock... and Winger done different
Blackwood Creek, formed in the dim and distant past by singer/bassist Kip Winger, his brother Nate on drums, and guitarist Peter Fletcher, were BIG in Jr. High and High school. The band known for their Grand Funk Railroad, Black Sabbath, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zep covers, as well as their original songs, disbanded all the way back in 1980.
Kip went on to play bass with Alice Cooper before making it big(ish) with his own band Winger. Nate recorded with bands including Ratt, Kix and Europe. Fletcher formed the Pigmy Love Circus, a band which included Danny Carey - the drummer from Tool.
In 2007 the guys got back together to record what would become this self-titled album. Listening to the results, I'd have to say they've done a rather splendid job. This doesn't sound like a band that hasn't played together for 25+ years. This sounds like a tight unit several albums into a very lucrative career.
The tunes are hard rocking and self-assured. If you thought Kip had struck gold with this year's Winger release and you'd like more of the same played with rawness, grit and soul, you'll get a shiver down your spine when you hear this.
The frantic opening of 'Out In Outer Space' contrast nicely with the mellow, if still quick, chorus. The overall effect is speedy and racy. The similarities with Winger are obvious, but there is no way this is the same band. Kip even says a naughty word for goodness sakes! :) 'Nothing But The Sun' is an absolute stunner. It manages to rock in über modern and retro styles at the same time, and there's a nice pop-laden underbelly that makes it as approachable as a fluffy teddy bear selling ice creams. Breathtaking.
'Your Revolution' is more subtle but still excellent. I could imagine this playing during a film or over the end credits of an expensive TV show. It's a commercial tinged, booming track that's got a definite air of mystique. I'm not quite so taken with the grungy 'Dead Stung'. It's like Winger covering a Nirvana track. It certainly isn't terrible, but in comparison to other tracks on this album it's not great. 'After Your Heart' builds slowly to a nice, easy listening chorus. It's a little moody, but not in a bad way.
'Albatross' is another of the amazing tracks. There's an interesting start that leads into a groovy, plodding riff with fantastic guitar playing layered over the top. The vocal performance is a stunner. 'Jimmy And Georgia' borders on the land of funk-believe. It's another great song and has one of the album's biggest choruses. Who'd have thought the love child of Winger and the Red Hot Chili Peppers would sound so good?!
'Rack Of Greed' sounds like standard hard rocking fare until the chorus. At that moment it moves up a cog or two and becomes a very enjoyable, memorable track. It gets better and better as it goes through, getting heavier, gnarlier and taking on an aura of upbeat aggression. 'Love Inspector' really, really sounds like vintage Kiss. Hell, even the title sounds like something Gene, Paul and co. would have written 30 years ago. Clearly it should be weird, but it isn't. It's heavy, bombastic, and utterly splendid. More of this please!
'Joy Ride' is as close to traditional Winger as the album gets. The chord progressions and hooks are there, but it's a few notches less produced. Final song 'Wooden Shoe', with its blend of acoustic and heavier sounds, is a fitting finale for the album. Love it.
Well, where did this album come from?! Blackwood Creek? Never heard of them. I have now! I hope this is the first of many albums for this 'mature' band. Is it as good as Kip's 2009 release Karma with his main band Winger? It's getting there, but for me the Winger album steals it. That's not to take anything away from Blackwood Creek, by any normal measure this is a superb album. There are a couple of a lesser moments, and it's not necessarily going to appeal to as wide an audience. But, when there's so much good, who gives a stuff about a tiny bit of bad? You need this album!
Check out... All of it.
CD Track List:
01. Out In Outer Space
02. Nothing But The Sun
03. Your Revolution
04. Dead Stung
05. After Your Heart
06. Albatross
07. Jimmy And Georgia
08. Rack Of Greed
09. Love Inspector
10. Joy Ride
11. Wooden Shoe
Label: Frontiers Records
Artist's website(s): Blackwood Creek , MySpace
