'Be What It Is' is Stevie Salas's latest release, coming some five or so years after his
'Soulblasters Of The Universe' album.
Recorded with class musicians like Dave (Pearl Jam) Abruzezze), Richie Kotzen, Matt (G'n'R) Sorum and Brian (Pride& Glory) Tichy, Salas has got his muse and his mojo working together, heart to heart, skin to skin.
It sounds like the rock side of Salas's magic equation is on the ascendancy right now, with openers,
'Get Out Alive' and '
Bring It Easy' giving it some Hendrix, Trower and Eric Gales as well as the chilli pepper funk.
The salty, sweaty
'Two Souls War'n In A Bag Of Skin' slows the pace to a smouldering, smoky stroll through a steamy, sensual verse and a mesmerising, elongated "live in the studio" guitar, drums and bass middle section.
Salas goes on to showcase his songwriting skill and production nous on the slickly commercial
'Are The Gods Smiling' and
'My Girl Is Gone', each tenderly shaped and shaded by a combination of self awareness and rampant romanticism.
'Save Me From Myself' is a magnificent funkadelic romp through Salas's whispering, sighing half sung, half spoken redemptive monologue.
Apart from having the best title here,
'To Surf With The Angels' is unquestionably the outstanding track on the album. A passionate, driving, urgent melodic rock track with a funky undercurrent, as flawless an example of the songwriter/ musician/ producer's craft as you're likely to find.
There's a colourful hint of psychedelia to '
Cherokee Girl' and a pounding, tribal, dancing in the dust rhythm to
'No Easy Answer'.
Salas sounds like he's been taking voice lessons from Neil Young on the magnificently apposite, soft spoken closer,
'To Begin Again'. It takes an interesting, Beatle-esque route through hard edged pop before simply ending, rather than finishing. A downbeat end to a wonderful album.
Emphasis on the "wonderful".
Written by
Brian Monday, May 18, 2009
Show all reviews by BrianRatingsBrian: 8.5/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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