Artist: Gerry Jablonski & The Electric Band
Album: 105
Genre: Blues Rock
Released: 2022
Quality: FLAC (tracks)
Tracklist:
- Breaking the Stones (00:05:11)
- Strange Love (00:04:34)
- Hard Road (00:04:08)
- Koss (00:04:37)
- Tiny Thoughts (00:04:59)
- Goddamn (00:04:41)
- Breaking the Code (00:03:55)
- Heavy Water (00:05:12)
- Dark Island (00:03:02)
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Relentlessly heavy blues/rock outfit Gerry Jablonski & The Electric Band do their best to punch your lights out on the group’s new album 105.
Released independently on November 25th, 2022, 105 is a huge plate of muscular blues-informed rock from one of the best crews currently making the UK and European scenes jump. They’ve developed a large, devoted following by incessantly touring the UK, Europe, and Scandinavia, dropping inspired albums, and putting on memorable shows at HRH BLUES at 02 Sheffield, Rory Gallagher Festival in Ireland, and the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival. The new album contains nine of the best songs Jablonski has ever captured. He brings a modern intensity to his music that’s unlike any of his peers and lyrically concerns himself with the present rather than telling tales of the past.
Current events played a major part in the overall tone of 105. “We walked into the studio on the morning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” said Jablonski. “The terrifying events of the unfolding war started shaping the mood and the sounds we were creating. It seemed like the lyrics never meant so much before, the sound never felt so dark. This unknown and new reality deeply affected our music and performance during this session. The sound of the album is a sum of the experiences and the feelings that inspired us during the recording process.”
The tight, four-piece lineup of Gerry Jablonski (guitar, vocals), Peter Narojczyk (harmonica), Lewis Fraser (drums, vocals), and Grigor Leslie (bass, backing vocals) fed off the tension that was in the air during those days and found in it a wild musical energy that teeters but never tumbles. Their combined sound on 105 is transfixing and will keep you glued to your speakers waiting for each new song.
Immediately upon hearing the double-kick-drum flourish at the top of the opening cut “Breaking The Stones,” you know this isn’t going to be a typical blues album. Jablonski leans more to the rock aspect of his style but Peter Narojczyk’s wailing harp work keeps the blues right up front. Jablonski’s guitar playing combines classic and shred techniques with his own unpredictable musicality and it makes his lead lines mesmerizing. The song is about the high cost of living the working life and countless fans will recognize themselves in the lyrics.
“Strange Love” is built on one of the most engaging riffs on the set and it will quickly stick in your consciousness. The verse drops dynamically before the chorus blasts its way into the party. Narojczyk’s harmonica shines once again and sits well against Jablonski’s searing guitar and confident voice. Kudos to the band for not overdubbing a rhythm guitar part under Gerry’s solo; the space beneath him preserves the live quality of the track and hits like fresh air.
One of 105’s finest moments is the light-building-to-heavy “Hard Road.” It’s an atmospheric, overcast track that speaks to the war in Ukraine and struggling people everywhere. Jablonski shows every bit of his vocal range here as he absolutely kills every line. All four members play equal parts in the arrangement, however, and their level of ensemble intuition is high.
The funky “Tiny Thoughts” goes hard for the mental health issues that impact so many lives now. It’s an honest and cathartic number that addresses the problem directly while still rocking the room with upbeat, rock and roll greatness. The rhythm section of drummer Lewis Fraser and bassist Grigor Leslie put down a top-level pocket that drives this one around the track with authority and it’s beautiful.
Other prime movers on 105 include the single “Goddamn,” the swampy “Heavy Water,” and the closer “Dark Island.” Gerry Jablonski & The Electric Band play unique blues/rock music that stands unapologetically on its own without bending to trends. 105 is the kind of record that becomes a friend for life and we can never have too many of those.
By Mike O’Cull