SMITH KOTZEN

SMITH/KOTZEN (Self-Titled)

 

The product of a collaboration between Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden and Richie Kotzen (Poison, Winery Dogs) known for his crossover rock and love of R n B. The duo co-wrote all the songs and share the singing and playing all of the instruments between themselves apart from drums which only Kotzen of the two plays, although a few tracks have guest drummers including Nicko McBrain on the track ‘Sonic Fire’. The result is classic bluesy hard rock not unlike Deep Purple mark III or The Dead Daisies with Glenn Hughes, without any real influence from the music of Bruce Dickinson and co.

 

‘Taking my chances’ was the first single with its heavy bass opening. Smith who’s no slouch on vocals tends to take the verses on the album, with Kotzen’s falsetto on the chorus and they come together to produce something of which Glenn Hughes would be proud. ‘Running’ the third single, but, in fact, up next, is, I think, the stickiest song on the album with an infectious chorus which could be a song from a Kotzen solo album, although it’s fair to say the influence of Smith keeps it a little rockier than perhaps Kotzen produces by himself these days. The opening of second single ‘Scars’ reflects the old black spiritual ‘Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child’ which they adapt to set the tone for bluesy solos and beautiful harmonies on a song about the aftermath of trauma. ‘Some People’ is a track that sneaks up on you till it gets right under your skin after a few listens with its cleverly crafted lyrics and rhythms and interesting mid shred ending. ‘Glory Road’ stays more squarely in the territory of classic blues rock bands like Free and Bad Company with less R n B influences. You can hear the hard hitting firepower of McBrain on ‘Solar Fire’, although that’s where the Iron Maiden comparison ends, the track itself being 70s rather than 80s style with distinctive Kotzen vocals, although perhaps with more of a Mark III Purple edge.  ‘You Don’t Know Me’ has more of a hard rock start and is the closest the albums gets to NWOBHM like a slower Dio track complete with a shred, although Kotzen’s RnB falsetto undoubtedly adds a different dimension and its end with bluesy solos changes the mood by the end of the song. ‘I Wanna Stay’ continues this bluesy feeling with a commercial streak.  ‘Till Tomorrow’ is slightly trippy with an undercurrent of Moroccan style 70s beats and guitar solos which are both rock and blues, albeit with an RnB inspired catchy chorus.

 

Friends before collaborators, this album reflects the results of a true partnership in which both musicians have invested heart and soul. Smith keeps Kotzen on the rails of rock which is my favourite genre to hear him in. There would be scope with their pasts to get heavier in future and I for one will be delighted to see what they can come up with next. My favourite Kotzen stuff is when he gets a little unhinged, see ‘You Can’t Save Me’ and it’s the only thing missing from this album which is a beautifully polished masterpiece.

 

Dawn Osborne