Blue Rumble is a Swiss band originally from Zurich that offers a retro instrumental sound that mixes Progressive Rock, Psychedelia, Hard Rock and Blues tints. Their self-produced debut album “Blue Rumble” was released on January 12, 2022 and contains 9 tracks ranging in length from 2 to 6 minutes. A musical journey that takes us back to the early 70s, bringing those pleasant atmospheres to the present day. The opener “God Knows I Shoulda Been Gone” is characterized by good mixes of keyboard and guitar, on a solid rhythm session enriched by tempo changes. The bass lines are deep and load-bearing, while in the second part the guitar offers a good prolonged solo that accompanies us to the end of the song. “Cosmopolitan Landscape” is characterized by a slower rhythmic session and the sounds are enveloping, with the guitar in evidence with a good solo. The intensity increases with the passing of the minutes, developing a track reminiscent of the Proto-Prog of the late 60s, which mixes nicely with the more Psychedelic sounds. The intertwining of organ and guitar in the second part is very interesting, with a succession of technical and engaging solos. A drum intro opens “Cup o ‘Rosie (Just Another Groovy Thing)” which with the input of the instruments offers a very interesting guitar riff. An impactful track, which proposes intertwining between guitar and keyboard that remain etched in the mind, with hypnotic and driving bass lines. If we close our eyes we are catapulted into the early ’70s, with phrasing between organ and electric guitar with a Psychedelic/Prog flavor. After an intense intro, with great guitar inserts “Sunset Fire Opal” continues the musical journey through the retro sounds of the band which also here shows marked 70s influences. Elaborate and full of time-changers, with deep bass lines and keyboard and guitar melodies that create a melancholy atmosphere. After a more Psychedelic central section, in the finale they return to their classic Proto-Prog sounds, with the guitar at the center of the scene. A massive rhythm session and granite guitar riffs open “The Snake,” a succession of tempo and acceleration changes that allow the band to mix multiple genres and styles. Excellent mixes between the organ and the guitar that alternate in the solo parts, the result is a dynamic and engaging track. “Think For Yourself” is a rhythmic track that offers engaging melodies with fine solo duets between guitar and organ and a killer bass line. It is the longest in duration, exceeding 6 minutes, and leaves room for all the instruments to stand out, enhancing the individual technique of the musicians. With tempo changes, accelerate that in the final part by evolving the central theme that flows into Heavy Prog in the final, closing with the main riffs in crescendo. The shorter track of the album “Linda” lasting 2:33, is softer and dreamy atmospheres, with percussion and flute and a deep bass. A passage that softens the tones, showing an interesting facet of their sound. A solid rhythm with a bass that makes us vibrate opens “Hangman” developed on harder sounds similar to the Prot-Prog of the late 60s. The organ takes center stage with a very intense and prolonged solo, which in the second part leaves room for a guitar solo. More linear but with drum fills and elaborate sound weaves, it is a burst of energy, engaging and full of quality ideas. The album ends with a track entitled “Occhio e Croce” in Italian which offers more Progressive sounds, with keyboards in great evidence. This song recalls the sounds of the Italian Progressive Rock of the 70s, loaded with keyboards and with a good guitar solo in the second part, to close with a crum solo. An excellent album that offers a solid sound and personal traits, which mixes Proto-Prog and Psychedelic Rock, managing to bring us back to the 70s in mind. The keyboards and the guitar offer excellent solo cues, the drumming is dynamic and elaborate, enriched by the tempo changes, with the bass lines being deep and driving. The band is able to give new oxygen to a retro sound, which has its roots at the turn of the 60s and 70s, managing to make it current and with their own personal style. A must listen for all lovers of Psychedelic / Prog sounds, entirely instrumental and with long guitar and keyboard solo sections. It will be interesting to be able to listen to this band live, having demonstrated with this debut album that they have excellent ideas and good technique, proposing a very intense album.
Tracklist
01. God Knows I Shoulda Been Gone (05:10)
02. Cosmopolitan Landscape (05:02)
03. Cup o’ Rosie (Just Another Groovy Thing) (05:20)
04. Sunset Fire Opal (05:30)
05. The Snake (04:43)
06. Think For Yourself (06:13)
07. Linda (02:33)
08. Hangman (04:19)
09. Occhio e Croce (05:07)
Lineup
Andrea Gelardini / Guitars
Ronaldo Rodrigues / Keyboards
Harry Silvers / Drums, Percussions
Sébastien Métens / Bass
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