The Blood Rush Hour “Sanity Fare”
Musician and songwriter Robert DeStefano returns with a new Blood Rush Hour LP. He’s recruited a fine group, including producer and musician Willie Dowling (Dowling Poole). The melodies are as grand and intricately constructed as those in a progressive operetta. The opener “Within This Tragedy” bounces along about the modern obsession with the spectacular, while “My Invention” is a chord progression and key change odyssey following a narrative stream of consciousness.
The band has two different lead vocalists. Joseph J. Tobias, Jr. is an effective vocalist on songs like “No One’s There (At All).” However, in songs with Scott Evans, his higher vocals soar on “Here We Go Again,” recalling a young Jon Anderson. The album’s second half (neatly split by an instrumental “Intermezzo“) doesn’t have as many highlights. But the songs are just as strong; “Billy Boy” and “Tunnel’s End” have gorgeous harmonies and soaring guitars. These songs need repeat plays to be appreciated. Fans of Skeleton Staff, Spygenius, and Martin Gordon (Sparks) will all enjoy this cerebral pop. Highly Recommended.
SLD “Like Sunshine”
The duo of cousins Paul Costanza and Tom Parisi formed the band SLD (short for the original name “Sounds Like Digging”) The untimely passing of Tom in 2022 meant that gathering these songs was not an easy task, but a welcome reminder of both talents and their ability to craft dense, glossy 60’s-influenced rock.
“A Perfect Day,” “His,” and “Friend of a Friend” boast some great Beatles-styled guitar flourishes and codas. Other songs have moments of greatness, like “Like Sunshine” and “Matter of Time,” with their sunny minor chord shifts, but they lack the hooks needed to remain memorable. Paul’s lead vocals shine across the album, especially on the McCartney-like ballads “Anita” and “Cold Level Heart.” The DIY spirit is evident here, and fans of bands like The Toms will enjoy this collection of final songs by the duo. It remains music that deserves to be heard.
