| Musical Style: Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2020 | Artist Website: McKenna |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 58:35 |
From straightforward to blues based to that with a progressive touch, the 2020 independently released debut full length Are You Ready from McKenna offers something for almost every hard rock fan. Traditional hard rock acts such as F.O.G., Stonefuz, Heartcry and Resurrection Band come to mind in this regard, as do those with a bluesy metal edge along lines of Die Happy and Red Sea. Whereas any progressive aspect to McKenna is understated - in no way does the group compare to Dream Theater or Neal Morse - it takes ample opportunity to extend its songwriting into the five and six minute range or longer (sort of like early Under Command).
Helping separate McKenna is how it eschews the gravelly, mid-ranged male vocal approach to most hard rock bands in favor of a female vocalist in Kristine McKenna. To her credit Kristine sidesteps the searing form of many female counterparts and even the raw and raspy flair of others for a middle of the road form I identify with as smooth and easy going in places and resonating heart and soul in others but always complementing the groups bare bones hard rock sound.
Bare bones being the key word in that while Are You Ready highlights very solid production, it also features (as taken from the groups press material) ‘all real musicianship (with) no sequencing’. In other words, what you see is what you get from how McKenna presents with a stripped down (albeit flattering) sound bereft from much of the studio chaff and effects of many contemporary releases, a particular I find a refreshing change of pace.
Digi pak packaging with a black and white cover over orange lettering fits the earthy nature to the music contained therein. A multi-page booklet includes lyrics and band photos, while layout finds the group crediting ‘our Lord Jesus, our grace and savior in these troubling times, from whom all blessings flow’.
Successfully capturing the gritty McKenna sound is opener “Love Remains”, six minutes of perfectly placed guitars - crisp and brazen in reeking of obstinate energy - standing alongside thunderous drums and resounding bass. A soothing touch yields from the layered vocal melodies adorning the silky refrain. Similar to much of albums material, song does not grow weary despite its length. Lyric snippet:
Do you hear the cold hard demands
Will you be moved by an angry man
It’s all about learnin’, learnin’ the truth
Never easy, never easy to do
Love remains
Take my breath away
You stay the same
Turn my night into day
“Time To Go”, truncated at four and a half, elevates to a mirthful form while not backing from the hard charging mentality. Interestingly, vocals take a cool spoken word heading in places, hovering over a backbone of blithe low-end to put in place an earthy if not moody ardor. Lead guitar work from Brian McKenna would give Stu Heiss (Resurrection Band) a run for his money.
“Are You Ready” represents another forward hard rocker revealed in the biting momentum to play a lead role from the start. Bottom might drop out for the verse section to see David Brown’s besetting bass hold sway only to have elevated force up as guitars recoil to command the browbeating refrain. This one would sound at home on any mid-period Rez Band album. Lyric snippet:
Look into the future with Your eyes of fire
My questions cloud the mirror
I’ve become such a dreamer
Will today be any different
A promise takes a hold
In a glimpse of glory
The truth of You unfolds
I hear You now, I hear You
“Push The World Out” impresses as a companion track to “Are You Ready” in upholding similar variances. Song ebbs and flows its span, drifting between moments of a quieter and calmer nature (in which feedback decorates the backend) and others revisiting upbeat territory to see guitars play a dominating role. Song impresses as a hard rock semi ballad accordingly.
“Come As You Are” kicks in up-tempo only to descend at once to its grinding verse sections, almost reflecting upon the doom like with its somber tinges, while maintaining the caustic sentiments for the equally disconsolate refrain. Songs final minutes are adorned with more of Brian McKenna’s bluesy soloing.
Six and a half- minute “Grace” rates with the albums finest songs as a full on ballad. First slow and tranquil minute and half (noting layers of ethereal harmonies) abruptly gives way is momentum picks up to muscular rhythm guitar setting an uplifting - and quite catchy - tone. Back and forth and back and forth the remaining distance, with the final two minutes home to a moody breakdown as Kristine stretches and exhibits the full range to her emotional voice. Lyric snippet:
Will you run, you will hide, will you compromise
There’s no hope apart from His hand
Will you shake, will you break and blame your mistakes
Will you fall and come back from it all
All because of grace
Even if the floor is removed by circumstance
Joy doesn’t rest only on happiness
The greater grace comes in the hardest test
I rate “Let’s Go For A Ride” a notch below albums better material. No, in no way bad, but rather it takes too much of a pop direction for my taste, or at the very least struggles to align with the groups signature blues heavy sound (at least to these ed ears). That said I can see how others might embrace it, although I tend to pass.
“Can’t Live Without”, sixth track in excess of five minutes, revisits heavier territory. It grooves from the get go, with catchy guitar rhythms establishing an accessible allure as soulful vocals intertwine with the cordial setting. I appreciate how the song slows to a bluesy standstill for its instrumental moments and brings to mind Red Sea in the process.
“Road To Destiny” crunches its distance at a formidable mid-tempo clip in exuding tons of bluesy soul to extent Die Happy and (again) Red Sea come to mind- very good company indeed! A worshipful charm registers in the process to see a laid back melody converge with a shuffling low-end groove presence. No, the song is not the groups heaviest but compelling all the same. Lyric snippet:
Shine Your light on me
The road home to destiny
Til then I’ll be waiting
Lift the delusion, reveal divination
Wake up my heart to live in devotion
Hanging onto the wall of pride
In Your eyes I can see clearly
The gentleness, the promises
Album closes to the twelve and half minute “Homecoming (Wild Water)”. No, not a Dream Theater style epic but rather two songs joined back to back. First comes in at six minutes as an ethereal ballad upheld by airy keyboards and acoustic guitar to see an expansive melody join with a beguiling guitar solo. Subsequent to a minute of silence, second fades in with an easy going AOR slant in which punchy bass and acoustic sentiments speak of the upbeat, particularly when heavier rocking guitars cut in and carry song to its close. Either way both serve to highlight a diverse side to the McKenna songwriting abilities.
If into blues based hard rock with the occasional progressive nuance then McKenna debut Are You Ready fits the bill. I take to the no frills approach to production in that it is (once more) a what you see it what you get scenario from how the album yields a professional sound but without a great deal of polish. Musicianship supports this in that all instrumentation cleanly stands out. Of course, the smooth female vocals help give the group its signature sound, not to mention the lengthy songwriting but without overdoing it in the process. Give McKenna a chance if into hard rock and the blues- you will not be disappointed.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Love Remains” (5:45), “Time To Go” (4:19), “Are You Ready” (5:05), “Push The World Out” (5:26), “Come As You Are” (5:20), “Grace” (6:20), “Let’s Go For A Ride” (4:20), “Can’t Live Without” (5:24), “Road To Destiny” (4:12), “Homecoming (Wild Water)” (12:24)
Musicians
Kristine McKenna - Lead Vocals
Brian McKenna - Guitars & Keyboards
David Brown - Bass
Steven James Tabor - Drums
