Album Review: Teenage Metal Princess, Moriah Formica: Bring it On!

Bring it on is that all you have for me? Bring it on I'm strong now Bring it on you cannot move me anymore Bring it on i wanna see your face When you find out that I broke you

When most teenagers with great voices and musical skill decide that they want to try to become a music sensation, they try shows like American Idol. Or, they try to attract the attention of a musical producer, and if it happens, they are perfectly fine with singing songs that someone else wrote. But a few of them decide to do it the honest way, as in putting in the work and learning how to play instruments, sing, and write original songs, and fighting for exposure in the trenches. Albany NY's Moriah Formica fits this description. She began learning how to play the guitar by ear at only 6 years old! 

I first heard of Moriah last month, when I saw a video on YouTube of her joining Stryper on stage to sing To Hell With The Devil with them. Everyone knows that song is extremely difficult to sing, and she absolutely nailed it. So, I decided that I would get her album, and review it. I got it last night, and WHOA! This young lady has some pipes, and she wrote every song on her 6 song EP, titled Bring It On. Very appropriately titled, if you ask me. This album doesn't seem like it was written by a teenager. Its better music than a majority of what you hear on the radio these days.

The album starts off with the song, Slave. A gritty mid paced tune that has an emotional verse progression, and a catchy chorus. A great tune to kick off the album with. It leads into Lovestrong, which was the first song Moriah ever wrote, and it made it to the album! Its a cute and catchy song with a commercial pop vibe, but actually has a kind of a Stryper feel to it. These first two songs are the ones with commercial (as in radio ready) feel. The other 4 songs are deep, darkish, and technical. Broken Soul with an acoustic intro with Moriah singing with it. It then punches into an extremely well arranged metal anthem. The guitar in this song could knock a hole in a wall. Back Off is an interesting song, and my favorite on the album. It starts off with a solid paced groove for the intro, but the verses change tempo in a very unique way. It doesn't just go from fast to slow with one beat. Its a gradual change, and I imagine that song would be difficult to get tight at first. It goes back and forth like that, and ends on a fast note, with a sassy chuckle from Moriah to finish it off. I can't ever remember hearing that type of tempo change before. Like I said, Very interesting. Save Me is a very deep song, with licks that remind me of greats like Judas Priest, and Evanescence. This song, and the final song, the title track, Bring It On are the most technical on the album. Once again, some Priest feel. Like maybe something that could have been on Painkiller! 

I didn't really mention the musicianship in these songs, because I would just be repeating myself. The guitar is spectacular. Its loaded with harmony soloing, blistering leads, and rhythms that blow the mind. The rhythm section is tight, with the bass and drums playing as one unit. The drummer is amazing. There's a reason for this. Moriah has indeed gotten noticed. Michael Sweet of Stryper does a guitar solo and backup vocals on Bring it On.  (He also had Moriah guest sing on his current album, One Sided War) Jack Daley of Lenny Kravitz's band plays bass, and Jason Bittner of Flotsam & Jetsam is the drummer! The 2 guitarists are Jay Rodgers and Dave Messick. Keyboards are done by Dustin DeLuke. Moriah Formica has put together an all-star lineup!

Moriah killing it with Stryper!

Pure and raw Talent like this doesn't come along very often, especially in this day and age of instant gratification. Moriah Formica has one thing that these cookie cutter American Idol singers do not. Longevity. She will be dominating the metal scene for years to come. Her voice is stunning, beautiful, and powerful. Her range is through the stratosphere. I, for one am looking forward to her next album. I'm looking forward to hearing her growth as a songwriter and musician, although her debut is one of the best debut albums I've ever heard. And, she is only 16 years old! I also hope she comes in concert to Orlando, because I will be there!

This is my first post of 2017. What a great way to start off the year! I'm hoping that its a sign of things to come. A nice and refreshing surprise that tells me that rock and metal will be in good hands. Hopefully, 2017 will be a great year for Moriah, and everyone else!

You definitely need to get this album.

Get it on Amazon, Itunes

Moriah's
website
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube

17 Year Old Blues Guitar Wizard, Jimmy Bez

 

 "In fact, if guitarist Jimmy Bezreh sticks

 with it, he could have the title 'Guitar God' 

attached to him by the time he is 25."

...Prophetic words from Yours Truly

....And, he is doing just that.

In early 2014, I reviewed a great band from Boston called 21st Century Fugitives. At the time, the oldest member was 17, I believe. Maybe younger. I was very impressed by them as a whole, but I was particularly blown away by guitarist, Jimmy Bezreh, who was 14 or 15 years old at the time. His skill on their album was better than many guitarists twice his age. The band is still together, and playing shows, but Jimmy Bez has branched out on his own, leading an incredible blues band, called simply 'The Jimmy Bez Blues Band.' 

Jimmy has stunned audiences in Boston with his incredible talent. His stage presence, ability, and even his lead vocal ability would make you swear that he was a grandson of one of the Allman Brothers. Except, his brand of blues is a little bit different. There is a guitar shredder in his soul as well. Listening to the lead guitar riffs and solos on his EP, Lies of a Sinner, you'd also swear that maybe he took lessons from Paul Gilbert. 'Shred' is an appropriate term to use for his brand of soloing. Its a very unique blend of the blues, combined with virtuoso. 

This pic reminds me of something cool. Not sure what though.

He started winning awards at age 12, and has been gaining recognition and respect ever since. He's been played on the radio, and gotten rave reviews from everyone who hears him play. In fact earlier this year, he was chosen to represent all of Boston in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, where he tore it up!

This isn't your stereotypical blues music where the band plays the same overused blues lick over and over again. I'm not much of a blues fan, and I would never go see that. However, I would go see different sounding songs with a genuine axe slinger and skilled song writer. Jimmy Bez is both. I'd go see his show in a heartbeat. I've listened to his EP at least 10 times so far, and will likely keep jamming it.

The first song on the EP, Don't Let Me Die in Vain starts off with a slow blues jam, then punches into a powerful lick. His scratchy voice comes in, and you honestly wonder how this one young man managed to get so much gift crammed into his soul. This 5 song EP consists of 4 original songs that he wrote all the parts and lyrics to, and an amazing cover of Have You Ever Loved A Woman. Track 2, I Don't Belong is more upbeat, and catchy. He doesn't belong in empty bars playing for free. He belongs in a packed house! Track 3, Keep Me Back is a little on the funky side. Keeping him back would be a crime. Ok, I'm done with my lame word play, I promise. Track 4 is the title track. Lies of a Sinner. Its more of a heavy groove. Of course, it would be a bit redundant to say that the guitar is incredible. The whole EP is full of WOW.

Making that Les Paul Scream!

I can't stress enough how much I want Jimmy Bez to hit it big. Like I said in my review of his other band, he is light years ahead of where I was as a guitarist at 17 years old. Hell, he's probably better than I am now at 42! So, if you get a chance, go see the Jimmy Bez Blues Band in concert. And, purchase their EP when it comes available.

Genuine prodigies don't come around very often. Catch Jimmy Bez while he still is one!

Soundcloud (Previw the EP)
Facebook
Reverbnation
Jimmy Bez Blues Band's Website
YouTube

21st Century Fugitives: Bean Town's Prodigy

When I first looked these guys over, I thought to myself  "Ok, a high school punk band. How good can it be?" After I listened, I thought to myself "These guys blow your high school efforts out of the water. And even some of your adult efforts." I was humbled. I admit it. They have the talent and skill that some signed 'national bands'  lack. So, here I am, reviewing them.

21st Century Fugitives hail from Boston Massachusetts.

The Lineup Is: 

                                        John Lucas/ Vocals
                                        Jimmy Bezreh/ Guitar
                                        Jaden Mendola/ Bass
                                        Jackson Kehoe/ Keyboards
                                        Gavin Burke/ Drummer

           

These guys (Out of genuine respect for this band's talent, I am not going to call them kids.) are all very

talented musicians, and will go far. Even this 40 year old metalhead knows talent when he sees it. In fact, if guitarist Jimmy Bezreh sticks with it, he could have the title 'Guitar God' attached to him by the time he is 25.

Their upcoming EP called Regret Nothing, available on Itunes, is positively nothing to regret, that's for sure.

They bill themselves as an alternative band with the driving energy of punk. That is accurate, but it sells them short. Their music is definitely rock, and songs like Hurricane have a groove reminiscent of the arena rock bands of the 80's. I can see this band with the ability to rule a crowd with the energy of their songs. The songs are catchy and have great melodies. Their song, Epic Fail has some incredible guitar work that brings back memories of Guns N Roses in their heyday. Its all mind blowing how good this music is, considering how young the band is. The song Down has a very deep sounding metal groove to it.

I mentioned that the term 'alternative punk' while accurate is selling them short. The reason is that most bands that fit that description just use 4 chord progressions. An intro that is the chorus progression, into the verse, into the chorus, etc. Very basic stuff. 21st Century Fugitives music is anything but basic. Even the songs that have a definitive punk groove like 'Let Me Go' and Spy Master are are not even basic. Advanced is more like it. The music is that of seasoned musicians. I can't stop saying this, but I'm blown away.

I said 'High School band' but looking through their photos on their Facebook page, there are some that show them playing at a middle school. I keep telling myself that these guys are light years ahead of where I was in high school when my crappy band decided to play our first show, and thought we were rock stars.

This photo of Jimmy Bezreh (Future
Guitar God) is SO epic.
Photo by Leah Astore

Definitely, go check them out. My favorites are Epic Fail and Down. They have a Reverbnation page, a Soundcloud page , and make sure you follow them on Twitter.  But most importantly, buy their album!!!

Record companies, take notice. Bands this young, and this good don't come around very often. And, a word of advice to the band...When the record labels come, and they will come, go with the smaller labels like Century Media, Rat Pak, or something like that. You want a label that wants you for YOUR music, the way YOU wrote it. The large record labels with all the pop crap on the radio will sign you, make you sound like every other crappy band on the radio, then toss you aside once they have milked every last penny they can from you. The smaller labels are where you want to be.

Very cool!

One last thing, guys..You're doing great. Keep it up, and don't let all the praise and accolades you're getting go to your heads. You're going to go far. Now, get in there and practice ya little punks!!!

Seriously, 21st Century Fugitives have gained a new fan, and you'll become one too. And, be looking for them to be touring soon! As good as they are, I'm sure they will be the easiest 'Fugitives' to find.