The first two tracks certainly grabbed my attention. The resonant opening notes of “Gift” soften slightly beneath DeLuca’s uniquely haunting keen, then rise into a swaying rock beat before finally falling into a chasm of crunchy blues-rock guitar riffs. “Dope” follows with a steady mandolin-laced Appalachian folk strum over a stomping beat.
Songs like “Colorful”, “Bus Ride”, “Speak To Me”, and “Mystified” are probably more radio friendly than the tracks that surround them. Particularly “Colorful”, which has an upbeat, catchy chorus and cheerfully romantic lyrics. Not that I can accurately predict what radio stations will play, unless we’re talking Folk Alley or NPR’s Mountain Stage.
“Swing Low” sinks back into the bluesy depths with a hard thump and screeching guitars, while “How Fast” picks the pace up with pounding piano and percussion. “Gravitate” keeps up the momentum with grinding guitars and echoing vocals that build into a high pitched scream.
The ominous intensity of “Draw” and especially the formidable rock of “Soul” are also high points. The closer, “Favor”, ends the album with a seemingly uncharacteristic subdued tone.
