Lopez, Lance: Tell The Truth

Right now the blues scene is positively fit to bursting with bands, guitarists and albums trying to grab your time and money. So much so that the choices are a little bewildering and making it all too easy to miss out on the picks of the bunch. Falling into that category comes the heavy blues rock of Tell The Truth from Lance Lopez, the image of the lonesome guitar man sitting on his amp out in some barren wasteland on this album's cover, looking to convey the journey that brought the double L to the point where he's ready to share his story. Supposedly an autobiographical album, Tell The Truth would appear to find the main man baring his soul, but that he does so in a forceful, never mournful way, is where things step just a little outside the expected norm.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't an album of reinvention or revolution, but if this man's guitar is gently weeping then it's only because of the fret abuse that Lopez is putting it through. That he does so by focusing on songs over frills is, however, this album's ace in the deck. Lopez can play and there's never any doubt of that, but it's the assured vocal poise alongside a considered guitar tone that makes the likes of "Never Came Easy", "High Life" or the romp n' roll of "Back On The Highway" force you to pay attention. Occasionally bringing a little Southern rock to his blues news, Lopez also avoids sitting too rigidly in one setting and instead broadens this album's horizon's in a subtle, but welcome style.

"Down To One Bar" may well be the second hand story (although it might be true) of the guitar man heading away from home to forge his own way in the world through his six string. But with the sentiment of the song being conveyed through the low battery life on your phone, it might well be the most modern interpretation of the blues you'll find. And while the song is far from contemporary in its vibe, at least there's some clever lyrical interplay adding a fresh twist that this genre often actively seeks to avoid. With Fabrizio Grossi on bass and sitting at the production desk, Tell The Truth is also blessed with a rich and full sound, and one that welcomes you in to the more heartfelt "Blue Moon Rising", while positively kicking the doors down on the booming and bold title track.

In all honesty Tell The Truth may well be just another heavy rocking blues album. And yet with so many of them to choose from, that this latest offering from Lance Lopez makes an individual, if still reassuringly authentic impact, is what gives it the chance to stand out from the pack.

Track Listing
1. Never Came Easy To Me
2. Mr. Lucky
3. Down To One Bar
4. High Life
5. Cash My Check
6. The Real Deal
7. Raise Some Hell
8. Angel Eyes Of Blue
9. Back On The Highway
10. Blue Moon Rising
11. Tell The Truth

Added: March 10th 2018
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Tell The Truth @ Mascot Label Group
Hits: 1177
Language: english

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