PETER BLAST - Straight Up No Ice
By Chris Rockson
Peter Blast returns with a brand new Extended Player 'Straight Up No Ice' a couple of years since his last offerings were reviewed by SoundCheck. Back then, 'A Plush Horse'....was quite refreshing in both delivery and style, it was a full-on album that blended the styles of Blast, Thunders, Hanoi Rocks and 1969 San Fransisco Flower Power. It worked out well.
This EP comes with a four song line-up, boasting some familiar names, such as Rick Richards, Chip Z'Nuff and Sami Yaffa, to name a few. These guys are all seasoned pro's in their own right, and its quite a coup for Blast to have the big names playing on his work....however, I don't get the hit from this collection that I did from his previous work....it's not happening for me!
It all starts well enough with 'Up On The Silver Screen' which rocks out fair enough in the style I was completely expecting...loud, toneful guitar rock n roll a-la Rollin' Stones by the bucketload! There's no doubting the talent of Blast, he can write a decent song, plays guitar like was born with one in his hands, and is keeping the Thunders flame flickering, but this just goes on for a minute too long!
'The Last Puff' follows and to be honest fails to impress, it's too 'muddy' sounding and weak in it's intensity to make ya 'wanna rock your socks off'.
The next track 'In The Morning Sun' is a blend of the Stones, and well, the stones from the 'Sympathy For The Devil' years, however, it does have an interesting guitar solo happening in the background. It's not strong enough to keep your attention and would just be an album filler in a different time.
Don't get me wrong here, I am a fan of Blast, he's written some great stuff over the years, and can play guitar like a demon, but I just don't get this at all....Is it what the press pack says it is ? ''Guaranteed to have fans rockin and dancing the night away''?
Well, in a word, No...it's too low-key for any of that, but as a sample of his diverse ability, it makes a strong enough statement. Like I say, I'm a fan, we all are here at SoundCheck, but want more from the man than this....
Check out Peter Blast RIGHT HERE
SoundCheck Rating :
