Ok, this is April Art, not April Wine. Well, I have no clue why I’m writing this because most of our readers have no idea who the hell April Wine are. So, just some info to get you acquainted. April Wine were a late 1960’s and early 1970’s band which experienced some international fame until the beginning of the 1980’s. It’s possible to say they were a kind of Proto Metal band of some sort. In my opinion, it’s not that much. Ive always thought they were to light even for their epoch, but whatever… Here’s a sample of their music with “I Like to Rock.”
Ok, now my dear child of the night might ask what do April Art have to with April Wine besides the april. The vibe. Yeah, the vibe. I admit when I put album opener and tittle track “Rodeo” my initial toughts were to put them to rest. However, I gave the band a chance – as I always do – I played second track “Burn,” the track that really got me besides the CD cover idea. I liked the idea, I liked the attitude even though, as you all know, I’m not much into the cores. But Lisa-Marie Watz’s voice and performance got me by the guts. Have I ever said I love female vocals? Maybe I have. Ok, going on… Her angry and full of attitude voice wins the day on the eleventh hour. From where I’m standing tracks as “Burn” and “Let’Em Go” are the pros of the album. “Jackhammer,” on the other hand, my dear child of the night might want to pass. Too many electronic effects, too much modern music vibe.
Musicwise, if my dear child of the night desconsider all the electronic effects and modern music vibes “Rodeo” is a great album for the big guitars and prominent bass lines. Not to mention, Lisa-Marie Watz’s voice and performance which is just the catch of it. There are moments as in “Head Up High” where April Art mix both elements and the outcome is very pleasant. The guitar riff emulating a sampler or anything of the sort is genius. Even thought guitar leads do not abound here I loved their overtones and the way they are played. The energy here is also something that really catches the fan. To say that April Art are a powerhouse is redundant. To leave all your doubts behind, my dear child of the night, listen to the surprising accoustic “Not Sorry.” Not a common ground accoustic song. Pay attention to the guitars and the way they emulate electronic effects. Amazing.
Attitude is everything in this world of Metal music. There is no argument about it. “Rodeo” is an album full of attitude with the presence of their frontwoman who steals the show.
April Art “Rodeo” was released on October 04th via Reaper Entertainment.
Track Listing:
- Rodeo
- Burn
- Who I Never Meant to Be
- Not Sorry
- On Your Side
- Jackhammer
- Let Em Go
- Head Up High
- Not Afraid
- Not Sorry (acoustic)
- Change Part II
Watch “Burn” official music video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!