The Loved Ones are a blues/r&b band straight out of Northern California. They are very similiar to Yardbirds and Animals but they are definetly creative in their sound and definetly their own band. Most of their sound consists of 50's style blues and rock but they really "do right". This is a very good CD even though it all starts to sound the same, but they find a way to break out of it for some really good songs on here. No fillers here, all good song. If you're a fan of Blues and R&B you will definetly like this CD as it is one of my favorites.
Wishy Washy Woman (2:49) 4/5
If you want to hear a pure Loved Ones song to get the true impression of the band this is your song. Talk about rocking, this song sends you over the edge. With the catchiest guitar riffs and great vocals you can't deny this song. Great solo, great sound, great production, this is where it's at in blues rock.
What is Love? (4:04) 3.5/5
Bluesy, very bluesy, and pretty good. They slow it down some on this song but you can't deny the quality in this tune. While it is no "Wishy Washy Woman" it is still a damn good song and a very enjoyable listen. The verses seem to last a little long and the chorus doesn't exactly have enough feel to it but it is still a very worthy effort and a good song to listen to.
Crazy Gone Lover (3:08) 2.5/5
This song feels a little empty to me, I'm not sure what it is but there is just something missing. The verses are lacking anything interesting and the chorus seems to just blend into it. There is some good harmonica work and some decent vocals going on, but the drums are very dull, and the guitar is too repetetive. Overall not the best track to be exposed to the Loved Ones to.
Bad Dream (3:33) 3/5
Again not their best song but definetly not their worst. Here we get a good strong rhythm section going on, and some good signing to go over it. Now there isn't that same rocking feel that we got in the first couple tracks until about halfway through were we get a good bridge. After that again the song kinda drags on but a good listen none the less.
Why? Let....Go (2:49) 3.5/5
Here we go, the album is coming back to where we want it. Catchy beat, lots of attitude, just the way I like it. The listener can really feel the guitar just jamming here, he isn't doing anything spectacular but you can feel him there. The harmonica and guitar solo really goes well together, both complement each other even though I found the harmonica a little over powering. All in all a good blues track with that good feel to it.
You Better Do Right (3:18) 4/5
"You Better Do Right" listen to these boys because they in fact know how to do it right on this track. Really catchy guitar and drumming, you can actually feel the bass groovin' now. Verses are just there and you find yourself waiting for the chorus but it is overall a damn well done song. The guitar is doing it right definetly, hitting those fills just right and giving you a solo that is short and sweet. Song doesn't drag out and all the instruments do what they need to do and get out, just the way I like it, In N' Out but staying for a good time.
Good Bye (5:23) 2/5
Ugh, here we go with another dragged out song. Now don't get me wrong, I listen to plenty of really long songs and 5 minutes isn't long, or at least it shouldn't be but here, it kinda is. The verses go on forever or so it feels, and the chorus is OK but drags itself and doesn't come soon enough and after awhile it just blends in the song.
Xan's Night Out (2:25) 3.5/5
I don't know what it is but I just really liked the guitar work in this song, right away from the intro I could tell that it was gold. This was a very enjoyable song, speed changes, catchy effects, bluesy sound, good solo, just what you want out of a instrumental track. A little too repetetive though.
You Know (2:22) 3.5/5
This has a very classic bluesy 50's rock sound. Pretty catchy, up beat, just fun. There were some nice changes through out the song that provided enough to stay into it for the whole thing. While nothing spectacular it was enjoyable and there was a very good (yet kinda generic) guitar solo. Overall really good sound and really good song.
Baby, You Live in Style (3:02) 3/5
More good blues, this is what the band does best. Lots of good fills, good vocals, drums guitar and bass just jam when singing but then the guitar takes some glory during the solo. Follows the very standard and generic formula that you would expect out of a B.B. King song but hey, that is a good way to go, even though it lacks some originality.
Everything (4:01) 3/5
They are really sticking with the 50's sound now but they keep "doing it right". While it is starting to sound all the same at this point you can still recognize this as a good song on its own. Piano really takes a shine on this song which is a nice change from the constant guitar work on each song. Other than that this is just another 50's style blues song.
Bow Wow (2:56) 3.5/5
This song for some reason stands out a little more. I'm not sure if it is becuase of the humor but the bass has a little more "emph" in it, a full sounding song. More of that blues that we just can't get enough of, the band as a whole just does what they know. Nice little guitar solo, got in and out, did what it needed to do and definetly got out just in time for the piano to take over. Vocally this song just contains "bow wow" so you better be into blues band because that's all you get.
Can't Stop Me (2:59) 4/5
Sounds a little familiar but I'll let that go for now. Really fun song, very nice album closer. Really good guitar work, and the sound was a little more distorted and "in your face". The drumming is really fast and they are really putting a lot of energy to finish off their album. Definetly up there for Loved Ones songs and it is nice to see that the album ended with that same bang that it started with.
The Loved Ones are:
Bart Davenport (vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar)
Xan McCurdy (guitar)
Michael Therieau (bass, background vocals)
John Kent (drums)
