Back in the very first days of the Rockpit I remember listening to a bunch of albums I’d just bought on a trip to the US. One of the very best was ‘Strip Rock Roll’ by Asphalt Valentine who I think I’d mistaken for early 90’s band Asphalt Ballet at the time, but upon listening I was glad I did – it was a great album. Sadly after that great debut there was nothing before an EP ‘Into The Red’ surfaced 5 years later in 2013 something I’ve only just discovered since their second album landed on the desk a further seven years later.
It appears thought that this album had its genesis way back in 2015 when the band put out a video for ‘The Only’ before going on hiatus. So as it stands it’s pretty much anyone’s guess what the band will do next.
Its a shame because when you hear the opening title track ‘Twisted Road’ you’re reminded of how good these guys are. The song itself is a nice driving rocker with a few little shots that enhance the hard rock rather than overpower it – there’s one of sleaze, another of blues and a final one the gives a nice Southern sheen.
‘The Only’ the track that follows was originally conceived when the band was approached by film maker Joey Shonka to write some music for one of his documentary-style films is mellower but shot with some great guitars and a real grower.
‘I Don’t Care’ is another great song – with a nice Southern accent and overflowing with melody, and the acoustic led ‘Saving’ is a beautiful slower ballad that bursts into life before the minute and really hits the spot. It’s as good an opening to an album as I’ve heard all year.
I love the drive and swagger of ‘Something More’ – it’s rock music you could dance to, and the guitars just sizzle! And the modern rock of the searching ‘As The Crow Flies’ and the simply wonderful ‘Shamefully’ are probably the two tracks that along with that opening salvo elevate this release from ‘very good’ to ‘great’.
There are few bands these days that you feel could fit on any bill but I reckon Asphalt Valentine would please lovers of 80’s rock to the modern day, it’s such a chameleon-like sound. And just to seal the deal they pull out a cover of one of Rock and Roll’s most iconic bands – The Faces. Now as a huge fan of The Faces any covers have to get past me, and they get points instantly by not choosing an obvious cover in ‘Ooh La La’. More points come for the tempo change, even more for the guitars and indeed they end up making it their own! It’s lovely work.
And we close out with a further couple of crackers – rocker ‘Dixie Rose’ and the final word goes to the uplifting ‘Rain’ which sits atop a great riff. I loved these guys back in 2009 and they sound just as great now I just wished there’d been a little more in between! Go out and grab this – you wont be disappointed.
Band:
Brett Ciaramella – Guitar |Evan McKee – Guitar | Joe Flynt – Vocals | Scott Clark – Bass | Bryan Jung – Drums
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