21st Century Rock’n’Roll
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
Listen to 21st Century Rock’n’Roll
Downtown Mystic is Robert Allen, whose love of all things rock’n’roll is certainly present on these vintage yet modern tunes that welcome Steve Holley, Paul Page, Max Weinberg and Garry Tallent for the powerful outing.
“Lost & Found” opens the listen with thumping drums and spirited guitars, as smooth vocals guide the breezy rocker, and “Modern Ways” follows with soaring, bluesy guitars alongside a retro appeal of animated and detailed rock’n’roll.
Elsewhere, the rhythmic “No Exceptions” brings plenty of grit to the more subdued display, while “Hard Enough” will have you singing along immediately to the lively rhythm section and melodic vocals. “Brian Jones”, another rowdy rocker, then benefits from harmonica and soulful backing pipes that you won’t soon forget.
Close to the end, “History” gets all sorts of nostalgic with dancing keys, and “The Wish” exits the listen with all the players contributing their first rate talent to a landscape indebted to the sounds of many decades ago, but that’s quite refreshing in 2022.
If names like The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Buffalo Springfield and Bruce Springsteen have occupied any significant time in your life, well, then, Downtown Mystic most certainly should be on regular rotation, too.
Travels well with: Los Lobos- Native Son; Roger Daltrey- As Long As I Have You