BLACKWATER CONSPIRACY
Blackwater Conspiracy hail from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. The band line-up consists of Phil Conalane on vocals and rhythm guitar, Brian Mallon on lead guitar and backing vocals, Kie McMurray on bass and backing vocals, Kevin Brennan on keys/backing vocals and drummer Fionn O'Hagain. ‘Shootin’ The Breeze’ was recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales and is released in conjunction with live appearances at both Download and The Ramblin' Man Fair.
What is on offer here are ten quality tracks of bluesy, melodic and hard edged rock, played with verve, energy and, as the title of the first track suggests, a certain swagger. All of the songs are pretty decent but, for me, the highlights are probably 'Decadent Highway' which rumbles along at a fair old lick with Conalane's Bon Scott-esque voice in fine form and the distinctive piano of Brennan to the fore; 'Hanging Tree' , a slow burning, thoughtfully constructed and considered cut which builds to a crescendo with the excellent guitar work of Brian Mallon; and 'President Joe', which at just over 7 minutes is the longest track on the album and which, again, builds to a monumental climax, with each band member pulling out all the stops to create a collectively impressive whole.
In summary, this is a fine debut release from Blackwater Conspiracy. It is well-produced with each instrument given space within the structure of each song so that everything is well-balanced. The impressive keyboard playing of Brennan, in particular, is clearly heard and not a poor relation within the overall sound. Indeed, I think it is the piano, a feature throughout this release, that actually gives it an edge over similar sounding bands and enhances the bluesy feel. If you're in the mood to just kick back and 'shoot the breeze', this album could well be the perfect accompaniment.
What is on offer here are ten quality tracks of bluesy, melodic and hard edged rock, played with verve, energy and, as the title of the first track suggests, a certain swagger. All of the songs are pretty decent but, for me, the highlights are probably 'Decadent Highway' which rumbles along at a fair old lick with Conalane's Bon Scott-esque voice in fine form and the distinctive piano of Brennan to the fore; 'Hanging Tree' , a slow burning, thoughtfully constructed and considered cut which builds to a crescendo with the excellent guitar work of Brian Mallon; and 'President Joe', which at just over 7 minutes is the longest track on the album and which, again, builds to a monumental climax, with each band member pulling out all the stops to create a collectively impressive whole.
In summary, this is a fine debut release from Blackwater Conspiracy. It is well-produced with each instrument given space within the structure of each song so that everything is well-balanced. The impressive keyboard playing of Brennan, in particular, is clearly heard and not a poor relation within the overall sound. Indeed, I think it is the piano, a feature throughout this release, that actually gives it an edge over similar sounding bands and enhances the bluesy feel. If you're in the mood to just kick back and 'shoot the breeze', this album could well be the perfect accompaniment.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Bulletproof 20/20 Records
Album
SHOOTIN' THE BREEZE
Review by Dave Uphill
RUNNING TIME:
54:56
RELEASE DATE:
28th July 2017
TRACK LISTING
1) Blackwater Swagger
2) Monday Club
3) Waitin' On Hollywood
4) Penny for Your Dirty Mind
5) Decadent Highway
6) Hanging Tree
7) '85 Rockstar
8) Shoot the Breeze
9) President Joe
10) Roll the Dice
2) Monday Club
3) Waitin' On Hollywood
4) Penny for Your Dirty Mind
5) Decadent Highway
6) Hanging Tree
7) '85 Rockstar
8) Shoot the Breeze
9) President Joe
10) Roll the Dice
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
UK
"If you're in the mood to just kick back and 'shoot the breeze', this album could well be the perfect accompaniment."
