The Red & White Album
by Harrison Lowe

Soon to be released

The name of the band is FireCats of Discord. I hardly think Red & White Album is the work of discord. There are eight tracks of wonderfully arranged songs. Written and sung by various members of the band. Lead vocals is Maura Due and writers are Bruce King, Gary Storm, Wes Studi and Josh Grinspoon. They range from rock to slow dance tunes. Though as great as the FireCats deliver the goods, I sensed the songs were set to a small audience environment. At times it seem the band wanted to "let it rip." Kind of like the horse in a practice run. The horse wants to open up and the jockey holds back until they clear last curve. Only, in this case, the pacing and grit of the eight tracks hold up enough to win the race. Maybe when the band tours, they do "let it rip" to a larger audience. They recently played at The Grand Old Oprey in Nashville, Tennessee.

In track 6 titled, "Martyrs' Wife-Say No", written and sung by Wes Studi. The words are a bit gritty but considering the nature of the past history of our relatives, it's appropriate. I felt as if Magua in the movie "Last of the Mohicans" was telling the story. In the middle of the track, I was waiting for a doomed voice of despair in the background to order "circle the wagons." Very strong feelings, and the background singing gave it a real nice touch of authenticity. It's my fave.

James Sadoti, they ought to place a fan near his guitar to keep it cooled off. Man! He is excellent on Lead Guitar. I could see his fingers walking down the neck and jumping on a fret to tweak out a high note of Jimmy Page or Alvin Lee style. For those of you who do not know Page or Lee. They are of Led Zeppelin and Ten Years After, of yesteryears. Think "Stairway to Heaven and I'd love to change the world."

(H-Factor 1-10). 8.5

For more information go to www.thestudigroup.com

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