Album Review: Smith/Kotzen - Smith/Kotzen
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
Probably the first thing to say, and I’m sure it’ll be said in nearly every review, is that if you are expecting this album to sound anything like Iron Maiden you will be sorely disappointed. Adrian Smith’s guitar sound, whilst distinctive, is a million miles away here from his style with the Irons.
Smith/Kotzen is a collaboration between the Maiden guitarist and American singer/guitarist/musician Ritchie Kotzen, whose CV is long and impressive. The man is currently one of the key members of The Winery Dogs, but his history goes back to the 1980s.
This album is nine tracks of quality crafted melodic hard rock songs, that blends the duo’s musical influences with their love of 70s classic rock alongside blues, R&B and more. Whilst I’ve seen comments that the sound is refreshingly new, (something which I’d dispute), there is plenty here to explore and there is a contemporary vibe alongside the feel of two musicians easing their way through a writing experience which probably didn’t exert too much pressure.
Written and produced by Smith and Kotzen with the mix by long-time Maiden producer Kevin ‘Caveman’ Shirley (whose list of credits is longer than the phone book), there’s also a guest appearance for one Nicko McBrain on ‘Solar Fire’ whilst Kotzen’s long-time friend Tal Bergman who picks up the sticks for three tracks (‘You Don’t Know Me', 'I Wanna Stay' and '‘Til Tomorrow').
Those who are interested in this album will no doubt have heard the opening song, ‘Taking My Chances’, which carries a swagger and confidence that one might expect. With Smith and Kotsen sharing vocals, guitar, and bass work, Kotsen also adds a solid performance on the drums on this song and four others. The bluesy feel combined with some stellar guitar solos makes it an ideal opening song. A delicious melody flows effortlessly. There are hints of Clapton in his mainstream days although old slow hand never peeled the solos like these two do.
Kotzen’s slightly stronger, more gravelled delivery is the more distinctive on the vocals, but it’s Smith whose solos take centre stage. They can slow things down with ‘Scars’, which has Smith starting proceedings, but throughout the album the pair trade instruments and vocal lines with great effect. ‘Scars’ is an emotional, bluesy workout. It smoulders and burns, demonstrating another style. ‘Glory Road’ has a sweet Southern echo to it, with some harmonies giving it another dimension.
Elsewhere McBrain gives it the hammer on ‘Solar Fire’, a steady and reassuring delivery that supports an upbeat, high tempo song which has distance echoes of Cream in their heyday. There’s a definitive classic rock feel about the whole album, and even a tinge of Dio-era Sabbath on the seven-minute ‘You Don’t Know Me’ (Sign of the Southern Cross?) which also features a stunning solo towards the end. There’s even time to squeeze in the compulsory ballad, ‘I Wanna Stay’, which is about as far removed from the day job as you can get. It’s exquisitely crafted but not one of my favourites.
Delving deeply into those wider influences, ‘Smith/Kotzen’ is a genuinely enjoyable album from two artists whose talent allows them to take things a little farther away. The musicianship is solid throughout and whilst the songs don’t always linger that long in the memory, with repeated plays some of them could become right earworms. It’s an album that heats more and more on repeated plays. Just don’t expect Eddie to appear anytime soon!
