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CD REVIEW: Misty Gonzales - Rock & Roll Freedom Show By: Cyrus Rhodes
"Gonzales delivers the goods" - INDIE MUSIC DIGEST -
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Artist:
Misty Gonzales Label: Independent Artist Website: http://www.mistyfreechild.com/ Genre: Hard Rock, Progressive Hard Rock, R&B Sounds Like: Pat Benetar, L7, Liz Phair, Joan Jett Technical Grade: 9/10
Production/Musicianship Grade:
8/10 Weakness: Short sided production (feels more like an EP than a Full Length)
LA based singer/songwriter Misty Gonzales just released her debut CD entitled Rock & Roll Freedom Show in 2011. This latest release was produced by Grammy nominee Warren Huart, who has worked with The Fray, James Blunt and Daniel Powter.
The CD blasts off with rocking “Go-Getter” an impressive intro piece that dishes out solid low end rock groove, with driving rock rhythm against mean sounding guitar, infectious vocal hooks from Gonzales. Track 2 “Love is War” serves up another strong piece of music combining hooky guitar riffs with raw vocal passion that methodically flows & ebbs its way through emotional fruition. Track 3 “Can’t Find my way Alone” presents more bluesy rock flair combining hooky slide guitar leading you head first into a catchy melody and heartfelt vocal finale. As the CD slowly unfolds I can hear many different musical textures reminiscent of classic acts L7, Pat Benetar, Liz Phair, Cheryl Crowe, Garbage & even Joan Jett. The music has everything you would expect from the 4 piece standard. One will find great low end rock grooves, driving distorted guitar rhythms with a few impressive solo’s, catchy melodies, Hammond Organ, slide guitar and a few well-placed harmonies. The vocal style from Gonzales has a jagged edge to it, but manages to go down very smooth. She sounds in the vein of Pat Benetar, Joan Jett and even Lita Ford. Gonzales delivers the good – vocally and visually. She knows how to serve a rocking Soprano showcasing power, emotion and a solid vibrato. Misty Gonzales also brings to the table a lot of musical variety via this 7 song EP. From jumping “I’m Coming Home” to heartfelt “Have you Been Here Before” to dynamic “Hummingbird” this CD has something for just about everyone The CD ends with Track 7 “Flowers” the perfect faille statement for a CD of this caliber.
This CD feels more like an EP rather than a full length CD with its 7 song line up. Perhaps 4 more songs are needed to really seal the deal for me as a full length release.
Rock & Roll Freedom Show by Misty Gonzales is an impressive debut statement that clearly proves she is a force to be reckoned with. The guitar has bite, the bass & drum rhythms have serious low end groove, the songs are all short & sweet musical experiences, & the overall production is solid. But make no bones about it the primary focus here should be up front, on the female with the mojo - Misty Gonzales. She’s got the charisma, he’s got the pipes, the persona. If she just so happened to write all this music - well she could be bigger than any of realize.
Cyrus Rhodes
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