Retro-Rock at its best takes you on a ride with death-defying original tunes that will tickle your head and kick your butt -- with a splash of country, a shot of blues and a psychedelic twist.

10 MP3 Songs in this album (49:51) !
Related styles: Rock: Rock & Roll, Blues: Blues-Rock, Mood: Quirky

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Details:
The old computer geek acronym, "What You See Is What You Get" aptly describes this 4-piece band of over-fifty dudes from Fountain Hills, Arizona. Their debut CD, "Optical Delusion", channels desert heat into ten burning tracks. Each draws from the group's diverse backgrounds as their collective fire blazes with the beat of their own kind of crazy cool.

Song lyrics were written variously by amorphous lead guitarist, Ukiah, drummer, Rod Drought and his bassist brother, Phil. Witty lyrics become pure poetry, snap back into nonsense, morph into telling their own stories. The resulting work is a multi-colored palette, both lyrically and musically. Russell Thompson's acoustic instrumental, "ABE", is followed by "Wrong Way Out"; a captivating rock tune about a lover's escape. Russ lays down a rock-steady rhythm guitar throughout the project; but it's his distinctive mouth harp melodies that capture the day. His solos range from the smooth and soulful "Gospel Blues" to the scorching riffs of "Our Yesterdays". Meanwhile, Rod casts a haunting spell with "You and Me"; Phil weaving his webs on intricate, fluid bass lines.

Somehow in the midst of all this one hears a country-pop song, called "Corner of Your Heart", guaranteed to make you drop a tear in your latte. Ukiah ends "Optical Delusion" with a song about . . . what?! "So Unreal" adds a touch of Latin jazz in a mystical invitation to global awareness. All in all, close your eyes. Open your ears. Hold on tight. Enjoy the ride!