Review: Blackbird Angels ‘Solsorte’
By Mike O’Cull
All-star classic rockers Blackbird Angels throw it back to the 70s and kick it hard on the band’s debut album ‘Solsorte’.
Set to come out September 8th, 2023 via Frontiers Music s.r.l., the record is the culmination of a long-time wish for collaboration between guitarist Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns) and bassist/vocalist Todd Kerns (Slash, Toque, Heroes and Monsters). Both men are respected musicians and top-tier performers who know what it takes to make real rock and roll.
“Todd and I have wanted to make a record for about 10 years now and we finally did it and it’s everything I hoped for,” said Tracii Guns. “With the addition of (studio drummer) Adam Hamilton, it’s pure magic. For live performances, Johnny Martin will play bass and Sam Bam Koltun will play guitar.” Hamilton is a multi-instrumentalist who has spent time in L.A. Guns and has also produced albums by L.A. Guns, Vains Of Jenna, George Lynch, and others.
Blackbird Angels began when Guns decided he wanted to write a rock and roll record more directly influenced by the music he grew up loving as a teenager: Led Zeppelin, Peter Frampton, Bad Company, late ’70s Journey, and others who defined that era. Friends already, Tracii felt Todd’s voice and bass work would match perfectly with his concept of what this new band should sound like. They both knew they could make a great rock record together, so they did. Blackbird Angels is a fully-realized band already and will be a hot ticket for anyone into old-school hard rock.
From the first notes of the opening cut “Shut Up (You Know I Love You),” Blackbird Angels serve up a full-on rock and roll party. The song is a dirty-toned riff blaster meant to get beers poured and hips shaking. Guns sounds amazing on guitar and Kerns is a lead singer in the truest sense. His voice is big, powerful, and majestic in a Robert Plant kind of way but always keeps a strong identity of its own. This is a killer first song and sets a high bar.
“Shut Up (You Know I Love You)”
“Mine (All Mine)” picks up the pace and adds to the album’s heaviness. Guns absolutely slams his rhythm guitar parts, showing prime pocket skills and inventiveness. His lead phrasing takes slide guitar into a harder place than it’s usually found in but he makes it soar, so all is good. Todd’s vocals are beyond mighty and will take you back to the stadium shows of the Golden Era. Here and throughout, Hamilton’s drumming is the creative bedrock of the arrangement and his feel never falters.
The sprawling and hypnotic “On And On, Over And Over” channels the soul of vintage psychedelic blues/rock. Its sound is sparse but nothing is missing; the band simply knows where not to play in a situation like this. Guns gets melodic and exotic on guitar as the song builds up and Kerns drops perhaps his finest vocal take on the entire record. He shows his full musical and emotional range on this one and it’ll take the listener’s breath away.
Deep cut “Unbroken” is heavy and satisfying. Guns puts down a massive riff to anchor the groove down and the rest of the band turns it into mid-tempo gold. A modern edge can be detected if you listen closely but it won’t change how you feel about the record. ‘Salsorte’ is straight-up rock done right.
Other highlights on Solsorte include “Worth The Wait” and “Scream Bloody Murder.” Blackbird Angels are the genuine article and it’s easy to hear how much they love and respect the kind of music that set them on their musical journeys. This is a killer album for all rock fans, which means you. Get it, already.
Pre-order Solsorte HERE
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