RETRO NOVA - review added 2nd July 2009
Album Review: Retro Nova (Self Titled) (2009)
For fans of: Classic Rock... and, er, classic rock
Retro Nova's roots go back twenty years to a band called Bandit. The present moniker arrived in 2001 with a reformed version of the group. They cut their teeth in the clubs and bars of Long Island, playing cover songs and, over time, originals too.
They give off a strong, as the name may suggest, retro vibe. They play a mix of 60's and 70's sounds with hints of harder rock and blues. The production is raw and captures the live club feel with aplomb. Whether this was intentional or not I'm not sure, but we'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
The band consists of Cliff Terry and Ed Breitkopf on guitars, Dave Moir on drums and Mike Frassetti on keyboards and bass. All four members share vocal duties, and all of them do a reasonable job. Some voices are better than others, none are amazing and none of them are terrible. As far as musicianship is concerned this is cognac, not champagne. There are some cracking guitar solos throughout the tracks, but the overall feeling is of sturdiness rather than bubble-filled excitement.
Opening track 'Rollin' In Clover' is a vintage affair with piano, hammond organ and valve amps merging into a progressive tinged number. It really is like being back in the 70's and you'll struggle to get your head round the fact this is new music. It's a good song though. 'Star' is a live track, or certainly gives the impression it's live. It's a cool addition to the album and could have comfortably graced the charts 30+ years ago. Who knows... if there is a true revival these guys could be at the forefront.
'Never Again' hints at Bob Dylan and the Beatles in it's tuneful melting pot. The lead guitar sounds wonderful and brings the track alive. 'Tonight' is an upbeat track with an uncanny impression of Ozzy Osbourne on lead vocals. The chorus is bright and happy-sounding, although it does get a touch repetitive after a while. The 'My Sharona' riff is distracting too.
Retro Nova come across as excellent amateurs rather than good professional artists. I should imagine they are a hoot live, and this album is plenty of fun in the right circumstances. As an album for pure listening pleasure it misses the grade, but as something to put on in the background or for a get together of mature rockers this is spot on.
Check out... Those Ozzy impressions in 'Tonight'.
Track List:
1 Rollin' In Clover
2 Star
3 RainCheck
4 Never Again
5 Living In The City
6 Thunder Road
7 Time For Love
8 Tonight
9 Still Some Times
10 Madness
Band websites: MySpace
