Dangerdog Music Reviews :: © 1999 - 2024 Craig S Hartranft :: All Rights Reserved
No part of this this website, including design and music reviews,
may be reproduced in any form or by any means without
the prior written permission of the publisher.
- New Music Reviews
- |
- Archives
- |
- News
- |
- Submissions
- |
- About
- |
- |
New Music Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, AOR, Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal
Recent Reviews
November 2024
- Voodoo Circle: Hail To The King
- Lionville: Supernatural
- Starchaser: Into The Great Unkown
- Empires Of Eden: Guardians Of Time
- Lonerider: Down In The Dust
- Seventh Crystal: Entity
- Neal Morse & The Resonance: No Hill For A Climber
- Beardfish: Songs For Beating Hearts
- Impellitteri: War Machine
- Brothers Of Metal: Fimbulvinter
October 2024
- Casandra's Crossing: Garden Of Earthly Delights
- DGM: Endless
- Daytona: Garder la Flamme
- Fate: Reconnect 'N Ignite
- Frost*: Life In The Wires
- Aries Descendant: From The Ashes Of Deceit
- Fans Of The Dark: Video
- Radioactive: Reset
- House Of Lords: Full Tilt Overdrive
- Cleanbreak: We Are The Fire
September 2024
- Sinner's Blood: Dark Horizons
- Serious Black: Rise Of Akhenaton
- Eclipse: Megalomanium II
- SteelCity: Reverence
- Hydra: ReHydrated
- Heartwind: III
- Gabrielle De Val and the Dragonlords: Tiger
- Find Me: Nightbound
- The Nail: The Nail
- Timeless Fairytale: A Story To Tell
- Stryper: When We Were Kings
- Phil Mogg: Moggs Motel
- Pure Reason Revolution: Coming Up To Consciousness
- Jordan Rudess: Permission To Fly
August 2024
- Siege Perilous: Creation's Call EP
- Paralydium: Universe Calls
- Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion Vol. II
- Bite The Bullet: Looking For Paradise
- All For Metal: Gods Of Metal (Year Of The Dragon)
- Hammerfall: Avenge The Fallen
- Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 2
Elwood James Band, The: S/T (EP)
Elwood James Band, The: S/T (EP)
Melodic Rock
3.5/5.0
Facebook
Unsigned/Self-released
by Craig Hartranft, 08.09.2012
Elwood James isn't in the band. But he was a major inspiration to two of the principals, Vincent Vescio and Dennis James. These men grow up in the same neighborhood, where Dennis' dad, Elwood, opened up his basement to the local kids to play in. The two men began playing together in that basement. Fast forward to the future, Vescio (k) and James (g), along with Vincent's son Vinnie on bass and drummer Danny Wagz, named their band in tribute to the senior James.
Elwood James Band: where's that damn train?
The Elwood James Band's style could be considered something akin to classic or retro melodic rock; there's certainly nothing modern about their sound. Familiar, yes, as they touch on classic American rock, blues, and a little soul, after all they are from Philly. It's a warm, sort of Seventies, sound. Both James and Vescio share the vocals, and have a pleasing tone and delivery.
There's only five tunes, but they're all well written and played. The strongest ones are Rain, a mild rocker, and the soulful Nobody Rolls, which is positive example of EJB's vocal arrangements. The other interesting tune is the playful, bit Southern, Kinda Lost, a tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. There's a nice touch of old school keyboards throughout, notable in the aforementioned Kinda Lost. I'm sure Vescio has a Hammond up his sleeve.
For classic American melodic rock, The Elwood James Band's debut EP is a strong effort. Let's hope for more to come. 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.
TweetIn Short
For classic American melodic rock, The Elwood James Band's debut EP is a strong effort. Let's hope for more to come.
Find A Review
Alphabetical Index
New & Notable
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 ]