The kings of rock and roll side hustles are at it again! Legendary guitarist Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns) and the insanely talented bassist/vocalist Todd Kerns (Slash, Toque, Heroes and Monsters) have teamed up to form Blackbird Angels. Their debut album, Solsorte, drops September 8 on Frontiers Music.
As it turns out, these two brilliant musical minds needed a challenge during the COVID lockdown, so they got together to create what would become some of the finest work of their long and storied careers.
Kerns says,” I’ve always been a great admirer of Tracii’s. When he approached me about this project, we were still in the throes of the pandemic and I really felt this deep need to make as much music as possible while we were all facing such an uncertain future. The record turned out to not only be a cathartic experience, but it became some of my favorite music I’ve ever been a part of. It’s raw, it’s real and it rocks. I’m super excited for people to hear it.”
Right out of the gate, Solsorte showcases their complimentary skill set with “Shut Up (You Know I Love You).” Kerns’ soaring vocals and Tracii’s tasty licks set the table for what’s to come.
“On and On/Over and Over” is nothing short of sonic greatness. Tracii and Todd channel their inner Led Zeppelin, Peter Frampton, Bad Company and late ’70s Journey throughout the album, but this track takes their love of the classics to another level. Tracii’s clean guitar tone is magical.
The powerful bursts of melodic rock energy continue with “Broken in Two.” You’ll find one of coolest and catchiest guitar licks of the album on this radio-friendly track.
And Todd Kerns may have changed my mind about power ballads on the soulful, “Better Than This.” Definitely a showcase for his underrated rock vocal talent.
“The Last Song” is curiously NOT the last song of the album. Influenced, no doubt, by the uncertain times it was written in, the boys contemplate mortality by asking, “what is the last song you’ll ever sing?” Heavy stuff.
Adam Hamilton, a multi-instrumentalist who spent time in L.A. Guns and has also produced albums by L.A. Guns, Vains Of Jenna, and George Lynch, rounds out the line-up on drums. And in what is a good sign that we may see this band tour someday, they announced that for live performances, Johnny Martin will play bass and Sam Bam Koltun will play guitar.
Solsorte pummels from start to finish. This is simply a fantastic rock and roll record that needs to be heard by the masses. Go get this one!
I’m Music Magazine Writer Steve Pawlowski
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