TAZ TAYLOR BAND - review added 2nd April 2009
Album Review: Straight Up (2009)
For fans of: hard rock... and that bluesy Whitesnake vibe
The Taz Taylor Band is, and this will surprise you, built around a guy call Taz Taylor. Taz is a guitarist, originally from the North of England, now a resident of sunny California. On this, his 3rd solo album, he plays all guitars, bass, and some keyboards... Don Airey pops up to add the remainder. Completing the line-up are Val Trainor on drums and Texan vocalist Keith Slack.
I haven't knowingly come across Keith's work before, but I'd have to say he's rather handy. The previous TTB album featured Graham Bonnet, so Keith has A LOT to live up to, but he certainly doesn't disgrace himself. He has a similar timbre to David Coverdale or Robert Plant. He maybe misses that last 5% of silky smooth perfection, but his vocals are still very good and sublimely characterful by most normal measures.
Of course, this album should be all about Taz Taylor. Fortunately he comes across with real panache. His guitar playing is beyond reproach, even though it dominates the record less that you might imagine. TTB sounds like a proper band rather than an ego-tastic showcase.
On the opening track, 'Lock And Load' KS's vocals really do go all Led Zep. It's almost amusing, even though it probably shouldn't be. 'One More Night' is, just, well, wow! Words cannot describe how cool this song is. It's laid back with a veneer of funk to start with and then, as it approaches the crescendo, the chorus suddenly bursts in and takes your breath away. It's quite unlike anything I've heard in a long time and is utterly captivating. The guitar playing is simply perfect and the singing is, if possible, even better. Okay, it's not a style of song that's going to appeal to everyone, but... I don't care. I love it!
The start of 'The Fugitive' has a lingerie moistening car sound that suggests a raucous driving song, but the track then settles into what appears to be a subdued if appealing soft rocker. The song develops as it plays through and ends up as a fast paced speaker eater. 'In Harm's Way' goes all 'Slide It In' era Whitesnake. The hard rocking blues influence is so blatant you could spread it on toast and call it pâté. Still, there's nowt wrong with sounding like Whitesnake. As far as influences go, they're up there with Spongebob Squarepants and Zeus.
'Information Overload' is an interesting offering. It doesn't seem to do anything spectacular, but there's something about it that's hard to resist. 'Never Letting Go' is similar. Again, nothing mind blowing but a great song. It has a semi-compulsive chorus and a groovily fun, summery, upbeat vibe.
'Bring It' is a grungier, harder hitting song with a sexy lead riff dragging the track along. The chorus is urgent and fun, and the song doesn't stop for breath from start to finish. Final track 'Straight Up' is literally that: a straight up song with no singing or excess to get in the way of Mr. Taylor's six-string. It's an inspired track and a positive way to close out the album.
Straight Up is a smile-inducingly solid album. Apart from 'One More Night' there's nothing exceptional on it, but the performances are all A* rated. The production is sparse but ample and readily emphasises the live feel the guys were going for. All in all, it's absolutely worth a punt. Not perfect, but great all the same.
Check out... Keith Slack's vocals. They're rather pleasing.
Track List:
01. Lock And Load
02. Razor Tongue
03. One More Night
04. The Fugitive
05. What You Need
06. In Harms Way
07. Information Overload
08. Never Letting Go
09. Bring It
10. Wait No More
11. Straight Up
Label: Escape Music
Artist's websites: Taz Taylor Band , MySpace
