Page 28 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 114

BV114 Albums pg 28.qxp_BV114 pg 28 14/06/2026 13:08 Page 1

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YYYYY Excellent YYYY Very Good YYY Good
YY Listenable, Just Y Poor

on its own. In these five Alone' fits nicely between which allow vocalist Jeff effort by bands but Tesla
minutes, Danny's vocals the two. These songs lend Keith to truly show off his have produced this as a
excel at what they really extra punch to the heavier impressive vocal skills, and real 'Thank You' to the
are best at and, it's worth songs in between, in partic- the rest of the band to artists they were influenced
noting, he delivers without ular 'Effigy', which is an ab- showcase their musical tal- by and enjoyed growing
going overboard. While solute stormer and ents. They give us the up, hence the title
Tyketto's history has been showcases Joel's skills to bluesy and soulful 'Bring It 'Homage'. 'Homage' just
turbulent, and this is just the highest degree, while On Home' by Sam Cooke simply proves what an all-
their sixth studio album Austen matches it at every and 'I'd Rather Go Blind' by round, outstanding and tal-
since their debut 35 years step to deliver the standout Etta James, the emotion- ented band Tesla are.
TYKETTO ago, with 'Closer To The song of the 11 on display. ally soulful 'I Wish It Would YYYYY
CLOSER TO THE SUN Sun', their future could be Somewhat fittingly, things Rain' by The Temptations Ian Trigg
(SILVER LINING MUSIC) the brightest it’s ever been. come to a close with 'Until and the full-on, powerful,
The more things YYYY I See You Again', which soulful punch of 'I Got You' STARBENDERS
change, the more they stay Michael Coventry captures the best qualities by James Brown, featuring THE BEAST GOES ON
the same, and that is very of 'I Am The Enemy' and some mighty fine screams (SUMERIAN)
much the case with ensures the listener will by Jeff. We have the laid- It's often said that it is
Tyketto's first studio album want to press ‘repeat’ back, country rock of Cree- increasingly difficult to
in a decade, 'Closer To The straightaway. dence Clearwater Revival's stand out in the genre of
Sun'. Ever-present mem- YYYY 'Have You Ever Seen The rock ‘n’ roll and efforts to
ber and lead singer Danny Michael Coventry Rain' and Bob Seger's achieve this can often pro-
Vaughn has assembled an 'Night Moves', plus the up- duce varying results. Step
almost completely new TESLA beat country swing of Hank forward Atlanta's Starben-
band lineup since their last HOMAGE Williams Sr.'s 'Mind Your ders and their fifth album,
record in 2016, but, in spite (FRONTIERS MUSIC Own Business'. 'The Beast Goes On',
of this, it remains exactly SRL) The Southern rock of which not only stands out
what you would expect World-renowned and Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'The Bal- from the pack, but does so
from Tyketto, and that is AUSTEN STARR highly respected US hard lad Of Curtis Loew' gives with a unique sounding
good, old-fashioned, I AM THE ENEMY rockers Tesla are back with Tesla lead guitarist Frank record, packed full of great
melodic rock ‘n’ roll gold. (FRONTIERS MUSIC their first full studio album Hannon the chance to music. The blending of pop
Fans of the band’s previ- SRL) since 2019's 'Shock'. This show off his skills with and rock music is a tricky
ous work should not be dis- First impressions mat- year marks the 40th an- some tasty slide guitar balance, but Starbenders
couraged by the radical ter and, if gotten wrong, im- niversary of the release of licks, which are also have made the most from
change in the lineup be- possible to redo. So, it's a their debut album, the plat- brought to the fore on their this mix and, through this
cause this is as good as good job that Boston native inum-selling 'Mechanical new, updated version of LP, they constantly change
any melodic rock album Austen Starr has made a Resonance', and, prior to their 2011 cover of the Cli- their direction, treating the
you are likely to hear in killer one with 'I Am The that, the band played cov- max Blues Band's soft rock listener to something a lit-
2026 and will certainly give Enemy', immediately as- ers in local California night- ballad 'I Love You'. Else- tle, or a lot, different each
hope for the band sticking serting her as one of the clubs. It is, also, almost 20 where, there is the catchy, time. At the centre of mak-
around for a little longer genre's most exciting new years since they put out 60s bouncy pop of the ing this a success is vocal-
than before. One of the acts in recent times. She their two volumes of 'Real Badfinger hit 'Come And ist Kimi Shelter, but,
main attributes of 'Closer has wasted little time in To Reel', which contained Get It' (written by Paul Mc- equally, her bandmates
To the Sun' is the variety of stepping forward with a covers of some of their Cartney), and a superb play a key role and display
music. 'Bad For Good' is a debut album. Less than 12 favourite songs, so now, it rendition of the uplifting Su- tremendous versatility
cracking, foot-stomping an- months after turning heads seems fitting that they have pertramp classic 'Give A throughout the 13 songs on
them, 'We Rise' is bound to with her debut single, the come full circle and pro- Little Bit', which includes a offer.
be a popular sing-along at album's title track, the full- duced 'Homage', which is great solo by Frank. Tesla's The title track is a good
a live show and 'Don- length record is here. an album of covers by take on the vastly under- choice of opener, even if it
nowhuddidis' is just good Putting her best foot bands and artists that influ- rated, John Deacon- might lead the audience to
fun. 'Hit Me Where It Hurts' forward, the record kicks enced Tesla in their early penned Queen gem question whether this is a
boasts a harder edge, off in fine fashion with 'Re- days. The result is a fine 'Spread Your Wings' is the rock album that they are
which will ensure some main Unseen', before and varied collection of biggest highlight of the playing, but 'Nothing Else
headbanging from its audi- 'Medusa' and the afore- songs by some of the album, both faithful and Ever Changes' will reas-
ence, and also offers mentioned title track, the greatest-ever vocalists with their own twists, in- sure you that you are, fu-
Tyketto newcomer Harry latter, in particular, being a such as Elvis Presley, cluding acoustic guitar in- elled by a crunching riff
Scott Elliott the ability to sublime blend of classic Freddie Mercury, James stead of piano on the intro, from guitarist Kriss Tokaji,
flex his muscles on lead and melodic rock with a Brown, Sam Cooke and and Frank's own interpreta- which helps place it
guitar. 'The Picture' slows hint of pop-punk. It is very Etta James, along with a tion of Brian May's guitar amongst the highlights of
things down to shine a much classic rock 2026. selection of favourites work. the album. 'Tokyo' is an-
spotlight on the softer side Helping to achieve this is which the band members The star of the whole other, practically born in an
of Danny's vocals. But, the tremendous work on grew up listening to. album is definitely Jeff 80s disco, but with an extra
where the band shine the guitars by Joel Hoekstra, First up is a brand new Keith, for his varied and di- spark from Kimi's vocals,
brightest, is when they de- which shines almost as Tesla track, 'Never Alone', verse interpretations of the while 'Summon My Heart'
liver the kind of melodic brightly as Austen's vocal which begins with a decep- vocals across the assorted bears some massive 'Love
rock music they forged talents. The balance is per- tively gentle acoustic intro tracks, especially on the Is A Battlefield' vibes. Ulti-
their reputation on. 'Starts fectly set and the entire and verse, before bursting album's most surprising mately, your verdict of this
With A Feeling' is a prime album benefits from it. But, into a soaring, powerful cover, Elvis Presley's 'If I album will depend on your
example of this and is an it's not all rip-roaring rock chorus with Brian Wheat's Can Dream', which is a real taste, but if you are looking
absolute belter, which de- ‘n’ roll for the modern lis- deep, throbbing bass un- departure for Tesla as the for something a little differ-
serves a permanent place tener, throughout the derneath; a prime example song has an emotional, ent without being too ex-
in the band's live set. Better record a few welcome of what Tesla do best. gospel feel, but the band treme, Starbenders are the
still is the album's title curveballs are injected to The rest of the album do an impressively ad- band for you.
track, which is worth the mix things up. 'Read Your is an extremely diverse mirable job. YYYY
wait for new Tyketto music Mind' and 'The Light' bare bunch of songs, covering a Covers albums are Michael Coventry
her softer side, while 'All wide range of genres, sometimes seen as a lazy
ALBUMS