By: Staff
There are bands that have been around for years, kept the same original lineup, and continued to make great music without any internal changes or turmoil. But this doesn’t seem to be the norm in the rock music world. Instead, bands are more than likely to change band members, change their image or even change their names as they grow and develop as an artistic unit. Chicago based Vintage Blue is just such a band. Formerly known as Tanglewood, the band recently went through a lineup and name change that has not sidetracked them one bit. Instead, these hard-rockers are putting out engaging and crowd-pleasing rock & roll, with their latest record Strike the Mics being the musical culmination of their journey as a band over the past few years.
With a sound that brings to mind the classic alt-rockers of the early to mid-90s, Vintage Blue can rock a tune with the best of them. Songs such as “Unchained” will conjure up glimpses of Pearl Jam’s Ten as well as the more groovin’ tracks by the tragically underappreciated Blind Melon. With a hard-driving chorus, the song mixes rock beats with a funky guitar/organ groove that pushes the song in interesting and unexpected directions, all to the audience’s benefit.
Other tracks, such as “Sleep On This,” showcase the softer side to the band’s artistic output. Featuring a slow tempo, the band uses the rhythm guitar, horn parts and drum groove to keep the song moving forward, creating intensity as it moves towards the unexpected, yet immensely successful middle section. Here, the band drops the time and lets the vocals and guitar work the melody and harmony with a rubato feel that reaches out and grabs the listener by the ears. After the free-time section, the sax takes a solo, leading the band back in for the final chorus. It is unexpected moments like that that make the album fun to listen to and one of the main reasons why Vintage Blue are a band too keep your eyes and ears out for in coming years.
Overall, Strike the Mics is a solid effort for the Chicago band, showing that they are prospering as a unit after going through changes in recent years. With such a strong effort from the newly named band, with their new lineup, the future is bright for this Windy City group.
