When it comes to hard rock these days, it's difficult enough to choose what's really good and what basically does what it says on the tin, but really deep down doesn't cut the mustard. The type of songs that hit the spot but strangely offer nothing new, which will ultimately leave the listener unsatisfied, and the CD is likely to remain on a back shelf for several years to come.
Thankfully with 'Alhambra' from Kodiak Jack we have an album that definitely falls into the former category, an album that offers a new take on things, a new blend of sounds, and above all a freshness that hasn't often been heard in rock circles for the past year or so.
Kodiak Jack hail from the South Coast of England and comprises Bryn – Vocals, Jeff - Lead Guitar, Jon - Rhythm Guitar/Lead Guitar/Vocals/General Modesty, Kev – Bass and Keiran – Drums. The band was formed a few years ago and have built up a reputation with some solid gigging which has resulted in a loyal fanbase, and the release of their debut album 'Your Death, My Glory' which received overwhelming critical acclaim when it was released three years ago.
Since then, the band haven't allowed the grass to grow under their feet, and 'Alhambra' manages to successfully reflect the diversity that is the current state of hard rock. The opening track, 'Get Out Alive' is an instant hit, featuring some guitar work that wouldn't have seemed out of place on Iggy & The Stooges 'Raw Power', with some searing guitar runs that cause the listener to think of James Williamson. The lyrics also hit the spot, with an urgent delivery of: - “What's got into me, what's got into you? Gonna take a piece of my soul.”
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As well as this side of rock, the band is also able to pull out all the stops on tracks like 'Wasted Youth', which comes across as a heavy blues and should serve to reinforce the fact that hard rock was originally always rooted within the blues environment. The lyrics take on a bluesy theme, and possibly gives an oblique swipe at America: - “Lemme tell you about the story of a man that they thought they'd never knew/ Sold his soul for the cross he bears, and the scars of the fallen few/ Made a deal while the eagle sought to shackle the poor and lame”.
This is brilliant stuff and with tracks as strong as this, the band should be able to build further upon their reputation, which should see them getting a lot more exposure this year. The album is available from Angry Badger Records online as is their first release. This is well worth further investigation.
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