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Kickhunter: All In

Melodic Rock

4.75/5.0

AFM Records
www.myspace.com/kickhunter
www.kickhunter.com
Review: Craig Hartranft,  08.30.2010

Let's do the time warp together. Germany's Kickhunter will spin you back to the late 70's, early 80's, with one whirl of their hammond organ on their third album All In. This band nails the pure melodic rock and roll with style and energy, mixing hefty amounts of straight rock, boogie rock, and blues rock. Revolution and Another Tear grab you with breathtaking melody, an infectious groove, and catchy chorus. Feels Like Home and Deep in My Heart are moving ballads filled with emotion and inspiration. The former, Feels Like Home, has a distinct American southern rock feel. For even more down home boogie blues rock Shy Shy Shy simply kills.

Kickhunter can tear it up with straight up boogie rock as the rework Victory's classic Checks in the Mail. Later, the cover Blondie's Call Me with a style and substance that is more that make their version more than a simple homage. These two songs, Checks in the Mail and Call Me prove that the gals in the band, specifically Melanie Black, keep pace with boys and, probably, out perform them.

Making this album even more well-rounded and impressive are some guest contributions from Axel Mackenrott and Jan S. Eckert (Masterplan), Hermann Frank (Accept) Pascal Kravetz (Springsteen, Robert Palmer, Joe Cocker, et al), and Dennis Ward handled the production. If there is any (slight) disappointment it's the repetitious length of Boogie Town, but it still a fine number. All this makes Kickhunter's All In a truly superb disc of energetic retro, made modern and relevant, melodic rock. Strongly recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Kickhunter's All In a truly superb disc of energetic retro, made modern and relevant, melodic rock. Strongly recommended.

Alphabetical Index

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]