E.Z.RIDERS - review added 25th February 2009
Album Review: Experienced Zydeco Riders (2008)
For fans of: rock... and music that would sound better live
E.Z.Riders is: Alessandro Alessandrini on guitar and vocals, Luigi Ridolfi on bass and vocals and Rodolfo Ridolfi on drums and vocals.
The band play a Southern U-S-of-A bluesy rock with nods to jazz and country music. They list artists like The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger and Eric Clapton amongst their influences. Can't argue with that.
The problem with this album is that the E.Z.Riders sound does not translate well to recorded media. Live, I suspect this band will blow you away; they play with a passion and are clearly commited to reproducing the style of the bands they love. Thing is, this music is all about the atmosphere and 'being there'. On record... you aren't there, you are somewhere else and therefore the music grates like a perforated cheese appliance.
'Real Good Love' and 'Mean Mistreater' have a certain charm, but otherwise I remain wholly unconvinced. The songs are loose and the vocals don't come across with any real verve. They are underproduced, occasionally off-key and very raw. The musicianship, although basic, fits with the style of music so cannot be criticized.
I like an album with an individual character. Experienced Zydeco Riders has more of a cast list. The album is comedically live in feel, yet it fails to capture the spirit of a live performance. As previously iterated, E.Z.Riders will be a wonderful band to go and watch... but approach the record with caution.
Check out... E.Z.Riders live... on stage. Not on this album.
Track List:
1. Real Good Love
2. The Way to the Heart
3. Witchy Woman
4. 30 Years
5. I Wish I Could Be Free
6. I Do As I Please
7. I Should Have Quit You
8. Jeremiah Johnson
9. Mean Mistreater
10. Save Me From the Undertaker
11. The Dreamer
12. Still Blows the Wind
Artist's websites: MySpace
