| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2021 | Artist Website: Pastor Brad |
| Tracks: 12 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: |
Is Pastor Brad Windlan the busiest musician within current hard music circles? With possible exception being vocalist Dale Thompson of the too numerous projects to keep track, a compelling case can be made for the Cookeville, Tennessee based guitar shredder. Consider how starting in 2010 artist has released a staggering 14 albums, including three each in 2011 and 2017 and two in both 2019 and 2020. Where does ‘Pastor Brad’, as best known by fans and critics alike, find time to eat, drink and sleep?
His parody covers albums in which he re-imagines mainstream metal and hard rock songs with lyrics that ‘honor Jesus Christ and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel loud and proud!’ rank among my favorites. Artist is also not afraid to branch out and explore worship rock on his 2017 release Up in addition to Christmas metal with Have A Metal Christmas from 2020. Pastor Brad is equally at home recording original material as found in Crush (2017), Rock This World (2019) and One Holy Night (2019).
Hence, manner in which his most recent album Down & Dirty from February of 2021 also encompasses original compositions. Musically, it stays true to artists past in mirroring an eighties metal sound trending equal parts classic and melodic with monster choruses, melodic grooves and all the guitar soloing you could ask. Lyrically, it is theme based in focusing on how ‘Jesus left His place in glory, came down, put on flesh and got dirty, so that we could put our faith in Him as Lord & Savior, and step out of our dirty mess and into His glory!’.
Down & Dirty gets off to an up-tempo start with “Jump In”, a quintessential Pastor Brad style hard rocker with hooks to spare and guitar driven proclivity to match (yielding a corresponding radio friendly feel) and “Jaded Heart”, every bit forward but not backing from the heaviness and melodic fortitude (noting the ‘whoah, whoah, whoah’ backing vocals). Intrinsic to the pair are generous stretches of the artists melodic guitar leads.
Faster is “Shades of Gray” with accelerated guitar riffs and breakneck bass commanding the verse sections and spoken word delivery the every bit mesmerizing refrain, and “Every Day” in upholding a speed metal basis to see hyper accelerated kick drum and intractable disposition play start to finish roles. The two find Pastor Brad exhibiting his gritty but melodic mid-ranged vocal abilities.
My favorite of the upbeat material is cleverly entitled “ICU UCME”. Song resides upon melodic hard rock hooks, accessible with its immediately engaging refrain, but also intertwines with a classic metal backbone, revealing some of albums staunchest guitar fortitude. Inviting feel to the foundational bass line serves to tie both sides of the fence together.
I also gravitate towards that bluesy. Begins with “Rags To Riches”, a blues soaked boogie rocker with a grainy AC/DC vibe to reveal a shouted (and quite catchy) refrain and plenty of playful guitar leads, but also includes “Back In The Saddle”, slower but driving with a momentous feel to draw upon classic rock but with occasional hard rocking guitars crashing into the mix. Duo highlight albums production strengths in terms of crisp rhythm guitars and unyielding bass but also limitations of programmed drums, which while not sounding bad, also could be beefed up.
Best of the bluesy material is albums stunning title track. What we have in “Down & Dirty” is a melodic blues rocker, emanating as catchy a melody you will hear and equally stunning underpinning groove to speak of the buoyant if not borderline commercial (in a positive sense). Heavy hitting feel to refrain brings to mind “Nail In The Cross” from Letter 7 (off Follow The Light from 2008).
Albums pair of dynamic six-minute cuts prove ever bit consequential. First, “Making Waves”, might be best song ever from artist. It maneuvers its first instrumental minute slow, ominous and doom-like, resonating of the more forward in furrowing through its spoken word verse sections but anthem-like for its authoritative refrain. Extended instrumental run features some of artists best fiery guitar leads.
Second, “Forever”, comes across as a majestic ballad. Songs wafts its length shifting between moments on the moderate side to see acoustic guitar and airy bass hold sway and others in which rhythm guitar briefly cuts in to build upon the poignant setting. Only missing piece are some fitting backing vocals to adorn the refrain. Atmospheric instrumental run extends a full minute and a half. One cannot help but appreciate manner in which Pastor Brad takes opportunity to explore his instrumental sound on Down & Dirty.
I rate “Got A Hold Of My Heart”, three minutes of upbeat hard rock, and “Ridin’ The Fence”, heavier with its classic metal feel, a notch below their Down & Dirty peers. No, I do not consider the two skip worthy and they are far from bad but also do not bring the consistent hooks to draw me in with repeat play. I tend to pass, although I can see others embracing them.
It would not be out of line to suggest Down & Dirty features some of Pastor Brad’s finest songwriting to date. “ICU UCME”, “Rags To Riches”, “Back In The Saddle”, “Down & Dirty” and “Making Waves” are fine as it gets far as the eighties metal and hard rock genres are concerned. Imagine the best elements of Saint and Stryper rolled into one. Artists electrifying guitar playing adds further value. Lone misgiving revolves around programmed drums, which while not a distraction could be improved upon. Fact is it is possible to achieve a professional programmed drum sound difficult to distinguish from the real thing, noting the work of Evans & Stokes guitarist John Evans, whom I encourage the artist to reach out. Production otherwise is spot on. Overall, if a fan of Pastor Brad or eighties metal and hard rock in general, then Down & Dirty comes strongly recommended.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Jump In” (5:03), “Jaded Heart” (3:56), “Rages To Riches” (3:40), “Making Waves” (5:58), “ICU UCME” (`5:25), “Back In The Saddle” (4:09), “Shades Of Gray” (4:37), “Every Day” (2:59), “Down & Dirty” (5:04), “Got A Hold Of My Heart” (2:51), “Ridin’ The Fence” (4:25), “Forever” (6:00)
Musicians
Pastor Brad - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Bass & Programming
