Seemingly a throwback to the classic 70's hard rock/boogie bands like Ted Nugent, Nazareth, Cactus, Humble Pie, and the MC5 comes this fun CD from a band called The Bad Wizard. With all of the retro stoner groups around today, these guys are a blast of fresh air adding a healthy dose of boogie to their hard rock formula.
There are plenty of in-your-face chunky guitar riffs and bluesy vocals on Free and Easy. A tune like "Endless Lady" rocks hard with Angus Young inspired guitar licks, and throaty vocals much like Lemmy from Motorhead. At all times the tempo will keep your feet tapping and your head banging. It's obvious from listening to this CD that this band is probably best enjoyed in a live setting, but they have managed to get a real live feel for this recording. Some of the songs are definitely upbeat party numbers, like "Natural High", that could get people to "kick out the jams" like Grand Funk's "We're an American Band" did twenty-five years ago.
I get a similar feeling listening to The Bad Wizard that I did twenty yeard ago when the first Fastway album was released. It's nice to hear something honest and uncomplicated every so often, and this CD can be a perfect compliment to any party atmosphere where good rock and roll is needed.