Album Review – Tom Keifer – Rise – Cleopatra Records
Artist – Tom Keifer
Album Title – Rise
Label – Cleopatra Records
Release Date – September 13th
Produced by — Tom Keifer, Savannah Keifer, and Kyle O’Connor.
Band Photo Credit: Tammy Vega
Tom Keifer with #keiferband –
Tom Keifer – Vocals, Guitar, Keys
Savannah Keifer – Vocals, Percussion, Piano
Tony Higbee – Guitar, Vocals
Billy Mercer – Bass guitar, Vocals
Kendra Chantelle – Vocals, Percussion
Jarred Pope – Drums, Vocals
Kory Myers – Keyboards, Vocals
TRACK LISTING:
1. Touching The Divine
2. The Death Of Me
3. Waiting On The Demons
4. Hype
5. Untitled
6. Rise
7. All Amped Up
8. Breaking Down
9. Taste For The Pain
10. Life Was Here
11. You Believe In Me
It’s been six years since former Cinderella mastermind released his debut solo album. In the interim, he has toured incessantly with #KeiferBand; that is a clever built in marketing plan right there, he fought to regain the masters of his debut solo album “The Way Life Goes” and re-issued it with bonus tracks & a documentary DVD, juggled the responsibilities of being a husband & father yet somehow found time to make another album.
“Rise” is Keifer’s second solo record. It is set for release on September 13th via Cleopatra Records. While you’re purchasing this album, I’d highly recommend snagging a copy of the re-issued “The Way Life Goes.”
1. Touching The Divine – The album opener was co-written with Tom and Savannah Keifer & Kendra Chantelle. The ladies really set the mood with their gospel-tinged ethereal “chanting”, add in some wicked slide guitar and thundering percussion & the opening song sets the tone for much of the album. It is an uptempo rocker that is very atmospheric and tribal. Based off her work with #keiferband as well as what I saw/heard on the DVD from Tom’s deluxe edition of “The Way Life Goes”, I’m going to look more into Kendra’s career. Hopefully she has solo material out there!
2. The Death Of Me – Diggin’ the “Night Songs” vibe musically that begins the first single and video from the album. This cut took several viewings of the video to get into the song but it won me over due to its message of perseverance.
“The Death Of Me” directed by Vicente Cordero
3. Waiting On The Demons – An acoustic, soulful tune in which the subtle drums fit the mood with mournful pedal steel solo that would make Ralph Mooney proud!
4. Hype – Radio static starts this rhythmic romp that uses psychedelic industrial effects to add to its atmosphere.
5. Untitled – Tom doesn’t get enough credit for his phenomonal slide playing. If I were to make a list of the Top 5 slide players of the past 35 years, in no particular order, it’d go like this: 1) Buzzy James 2) Charlie Starr 3) Tom Keifer 4) Eric Sardinas 5) Sonny Landreth. The song has a very dark and heavy hypnotic inductrial stomp to accentuate the swampy slide & Tom’s almost demented raspiness. A few of his screams had me concerned for his vocal chords!
6. Rise – The title track is hands down my favorite cut on the album for deeply personal reasons those who know me are aware of! Not going to lie, I got misty eyed upon first listen! From the orchestration, slide solo, background vocals and B3, it blends beautifully for a truly inspirational gospel-tinged piano ballad that touch upon a “phoenix rising up from the ashes” lyrical theme. Every now and again, an artists pens a composition that you feel deep in your soul, this is one of those for me! My hats off to Tom and everyone else involved in its creation! #Floored
7. All Amped Up – Dripping with an AC/DC swagger, you’ll find yourself in familiar territory if you’ve followed Tom over his career. While one could think it was 1986 it is very present day in its sonics.
8.Breaking Down – The Rolling Stones influence is felt on this mid-tempo rocker. This song features a blistering solo that could see the band ripping into an extended jam on the concert stage.
9. Taste For The Pain – An eerie dirge that is sung from the depths of tortured soul. The lyrics paint a very dark cinematic picture that will give you chills.
10. Life Was Here – After the depths the previous song takes the listener, this song picks up the pace and ones mood. Digg it!
11. You Believe In Me – Tom’s superb fingerpicking is on display on this sparse heartfelt ballad which I’d venture to say is about his wife and bandmate, Savannah.
In conclusion, “Rise” is a much more cohesive album than his debut solo album. No doubt that comes from him and KeiferBand being relentless road dogs. The chemistry is more than evident with crisp production, the sonics vibrant blended with Tom’s masterful songwriting and musicianship.
This is just a damn good Rock N’ Roll album from one of the most underrated musicians of the last 35 years. Tom does not get enough credit for his songwriting, mastery of multiple instruments and vision as a frontman & bandleader. Bravo! to you Mr. Keifer, Bravo!
Check out Tom Keifer online here….
Check out Tom Keifer and #keiferband at any of the following tour stops:
8/24 Ojai, CA Ojai Libbey Bowl
8/25 Pasadena, CA The Canyon at The Rose
8/27 Sacramento, CA Crest Theatre
8/29 Las Vegas, NV Count’s Vamp’d
8/30 San Juan Capistrano, CA The Coach House
8/31 Big Bear Lake, CA The Cave
9/6 Leesburg, VA Tally Ho Theatre
9/7 Cherokee, NC Cherokee Blue Ridge Run
10/11 Knoxville, TN Cotton Eyed Joe
10/12 Versailles, OH BMI Indoor Speedway
10/15 Flint, MI The Machine Shop
10/17 Warrendale, PA Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
10/18 Niagara Falls, NY Seneca Niagara Event Center
10/19 Akron, OH Goodyear Theater
10/24 Green Bay, WI Green Bay Distillery
10/31 Milwaukee, WI Potowatami Bingo Casino
11/1 Medina, MN Medina Entertainment Center
11/2 St. Charles, IL The Arcada Theatre
Category: Reviews
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