The New York Rockers, Eve To Adam, kick off their fourth album, Locked And Loaded with one hell of an anthem in their first track, “Locked And Loaded.”
And if the heart-pumping, up-tempo intro to the song didn't reel you in, just wait a bit for the lead guitarist, Gaurav Bali, to dominate the latter part with one of his smoke-coming-off-the-guitar, rip-roaring solos-something the album, thankfully, has a bunch of.
This five-piece melodic rock band has surprised many critics and audience alike the last few years with their smash-mouth style of Rock and Roll.
In 2011, Eve to Adam garnered some first licks of mainstream success with pre-workout song staple, "Run Your Mouth." And yet, Locked And Loaded doesn't seem like it fits with the directed anger in "Run Your Mouth." This, their fourth album, has so much pent up anger and angst it explodes and dissipates within the corners and the creaks of Taki Sassari's voice.
This album is a statement of declaration, that Eve To Adam is not a one-hit wonder, that they want to, and expect to, be on the scene for a while. And with words like "You brought a knife to a gunfight," the gnarly vocals of Taki Sassari ring threateningly to other rock bands.
Yet this album is not perfect, as songs like "Immortal," “With The Truth” and “Shut Out The World” unfortunately drop in quality due to clichéd choruses and awkward vocals littered throughout the three songs.
But Eve To Adam makes up for some slight miscues with enough heart to power their fourth record to one of the better rock albums of year.
Musicianship: 9/10 If you are a sucker for slick guitar solos, this album will be in your playlists.
Creativity: 6/10 “Straightjacket Supermodel” and “Fortune Tellers” are pleasantly different tracks from traditional Eve To Adam, which is interesting and refreshing.
Reviewer’s Tilt: 9/10 Guitar solos, enough said.
Note: If you haven’t listened to “Run Your Mouth” from their last album, prioritize it as soon as possible.