Sushi Rain: Cocktail

There seems to be a lot of Italian releases lately and here is another from the band Sushi Rain titled Cocktail. This is another new band for me and it is an interesting release to say the least. I wouldn't say this is a 'throw in everything but the kitchen sink' kind of album but it certainly is one of those that offers a diversity of sounds and for the most part it works. The band cover a number of styles; progressive rock, metal, funk and reggae to name a few. The press release bills them as 'progressive funk' which isn't a bad descriptor although it doesn't tell the whole story.

After the very short "Pop You Pay", a tongue and cheek offering where the band doesn't take itself too seriously, the proper album begins with the funky rock of "Bunga Bunga" with its gritty lead vocals, catchy riffs and horn led rhythms. Some heavy rock guitar soloing precedes a reggae groove before the song returns to its rockier roots. "Why?" is more pure funk where choppy guitar rhythms and keyboards compete for space but really all the instruments get their time to shine. The catchy "One Last Night In Philadelphia" is more straight forward rock with arpeggio guitar, an excellent vocal arrangement and nice sax work whereas "Pillows" explores more proggy territory with its complex rhythmic patterns and time changes giving the listener a mixture of funk, rock and prog. For more heavier rock flavourings check out "March Of Groove" or for a mellower sound try the ballads "Free" and "One", both featuring pretty guitar and passionate vocals.

Because of its varied approach Cocktail should appeal to a wide range of tastes, especially progressive music fans looking for groove heavy rock and metal.

The players include:
Francesco Bini (guitars)
Matteo Carrai (lead vocals)
Francesco Micieli (drums and percussion)
Marcello Arena (bass guitar)
Alessandro Biondi (keyboards, backing vocals)
Nadia Koski (sax, flute, clarinet, backing vocals)
Giada Secchi (backing vocals)
Sandro Toncelli (backing vocals)

Track Listing:
1. Pop You Pay
2. Bunga Bunga
3. Why?
4. One Last Night In Philadelphia
5. Pillows
6. March Of Groove
7. Free
8. Jesus Cries From Your Eyes
9. It's Time To Believe
10. Sushi Rain Can't Write A Single
11. Brain Drain
12. One

Added: January 31st 2016
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Facebook Page
Hits: 1616
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]