Smokin' hot album!
author: Andy G.
I heard Katchoolik's instrumental album, Wings of the Mind, before I listened to this one, and I am again amazed by Johnny's unique style and the grace with which he traverses so many genres. Even with these more mainstream tunes, Johnny still stands out as a truly sui generis musician. His vocals and soulful guitar solos on the Ovation are powerful, expressive, engaging, and catchy. The chorus parts in many of the songs are some of the best and most memorable ones I have ever heard! Don't be misled by the word "demo" because this is nothing like the demos we usually get in our offices. This album is a demo only in the sense that the music is indie/understated and that the spontaneity of creation and the raw energy of rock 'n' roll have been well preserved. Too often, major studios make the mistake of over-polishing albums, which end up sounding too affected and stale. You won't find any of that here. The raw, gritty sound of the album perfectly matches the whole vibe of the album. The recordings are very much like live performances in an intimate setting, where the songs really speak to the audience. The lyrics are refreshing, witty, cool, and just ingenious, especially those of the song Lizzy. Real fans of Thin Lizzy will understand what I am talking about here. Again, Katchoolik delivers another album that is a cult classic. Oh, and don't forget to listen for the hidden track, another awesome tune! If you are tired of the generic pulp out there, then you need to listen to Katchoolik. He is what indie is all about! Katchoolik is one of the few musicians whose albums I gladly buy without needing to hear samples first because I trust his talent and music.
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