Proud Outsiders: Anything To Offer?

Now we go all the way to Spain and the band Proud Outsiders, a new band for me. This is the duo of Sergio Puertas (guitar, vocals) and Carlos Méndez (bass). The band formed in 2018 after discovering each other in Madrid. Incidentally, the band’s name is derived from the band’s home base of Madrid although neither musician is originally from the region, hence the name Proud Outsiders. Rather clever I should say.

The duo play ‘70s and ‘80s influenced rock, with occasional nods to alternative rock and blues. This is very catchy stuff but with its own identity. I should also note guitarist Puertas is a left-handed guitarist, yet plays on a right-handed guitar. Perhaps that is why he gets some killer tones throughout the album’s ten tracks.

Album opener “Glow & Fire� is out of the gate with a rocking guitar riff and grooving bass line. I have to say both musicians are excellent on their respective instruments. Puertas’ lead vocals are fine, just slightly accented, but never a distraction from his overall melodic tone. Some fine guitar breaks ensue along with a cool electronic segment. His guitar IQ is really quite high. The fiery “The Calling� is next and includes some explosive lead guitar and exceptional rhythm work. “Better Without You� is a nice mid-tempo rock tune, a little mellower, with some smokey lead guitar having bluesy undertones. Classic rock comes to the fore with “Anything To Offer?�, the guitar slicing through the soundscape with razor-like sharpness and in “I Do� the guitar is more intricate, with more fuzz and psychedelic influences.

Anything To Offer? is a good album with one caveat �" the drums, which I presume to be sampled (there is no drummer credited) could be a lot beefier with more of a presence. As it stands, they lack that liveliness I wanted to hear. That aside, Proud Outsiders have made a solid debut that should please fans of the genre.

Track Listing:
1. Glow & Fire (3:55)
2. The Calling (3:28)
3. Better Without You (4:10)
4. Anything To Offer? (4:07)
5. I Do (5:12)
6. More (3:42)
7. Stick To My Guns (4:30)
8. Torn & Hurt (3:35)
9. Lost With You (5:04)
10. Shake It Off (3:44)

Added: July 15th 2024
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 230
Language: english

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