Album Details

• Artist: Foster McGinty
• Album: Peach Red
• Label: N/A
• Year of Release: 2009
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2009-05-12

By way of NYC and many different points prior, Foster McGinty comes to revitalize a seemingly long-lost sound of rock'n'roll's roots. Peach Red is a symbolic release, demonstrative of the man's similar-yet-contested influences from rock, metal, blues, jazz and funk, all melded together in a not altogether unique, but altogether enjoyable package. His backing band have all the tools at their disposal to bring his nostalgic vision to life, and the 10 tracks here all offer something powerful, groovy and/or inspiring.

The album opens on a Hendrix-esque guitar ditty "Can't Help But Shine", which fluctuates between a steady-headed bass groove and a well-played organ punctuating the finer moments. That instrument plays a major role in the entirety of Peach Red. 10 Moons has an Aerosmith vibe in it's vocal-guitar interplay, and stands out for being hella catchy. "Hard Jelly" (interesting name) has a very powerful, steam-engine-driving groove that doesn't let up, featuring some of the better vocals on the album. When Foster slows it down for the mellow, jazz club stylings of "Turqoise", he shows another layer of the bottomless chameleon-shifts he's capable of. 

While some songs drag a bit (Burning Bee Hive, Darlyn Giver, My Time of Uncertainty), none are truly bad and, for fans of the old rock like Cream, Hendrix, etc, hearing this blend of rock, blues and funk played now will be a dream come true. Major props to Foster McGinty and his band for developing one of the most enjoyable nostalgia-trips of the year. The modern production values do wonders, as well, to help the listener appreciate each and every musician's contributions and the fantastic songwriting weaved throughout the record.  

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