John McKinley - Window On The World - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Window On The World, by John McKinley and it's a driving rocker with solid blues and fusion influence. Opening with instrumental, Dirty Nails, John McKinley rides high on guitar with strong support from Darius McKinley on bass and Ben Rollo on drums. Reminding me a bit of early Dregs this track rips! One A Ponce A Time is tight with a funky jazz beat. Nicely blended vocals by the McKinleys and Rollo and a light footed dance with rapid fire guitar riffs makes this track hot as a baked potato! Straight ahead rocker, Welfare Mama, seems like a natural radio track with a lot of polish and a cool laid back melody. McKinley doesn't let up on the throttle with crisp guitar riffs throughout! Instrumental, Stratitude has a heavy bottom with guitar riffs sounding like twists of Jeff Beck and Steve Vai. Very cool! Cuando Yo Me Voy (I'm Outta' Here), has a hot salsa feel with excellent drum rhythms and scorching guitar riffs played over a combination of Spanish and English vocals. Excellent! Rev It Up is a solid rocker with a mix of acoustic and electric guitar riffs pushing it along. Keep The Door Cracked Open has a solid bass riff played against a chicken pickin guitar riff for some light fun. P-Nutt-Butt-Ah is a smooth slow blues number with warm guitar chords and outrageous tone swell and synthesized guitar riffs over interesting bass and drum riffs making it my choice for the release. Very nice! Tight boogie, Life's A Bitch, has a great walking bass line, slick guitar riffs and clever lyrics that should make it a solid crowd pleaser. Cool Night Breeze is an easy going shuffle with clean slide guitar work. Lead vocals on this track have an interesting quality warmed up by choir like backing vocals and "twisted" guitar work make this a definite standout track. Passionate Man has a simple pop feel, along the lines of Elvis Costello with cool bass lines and a solid guitar solo that adds a bluesy texture. Wrapping the release is Ontarian Song, a bright, instrumental track beginning with solid acoustic guitar work, bringing feelings of Leo Kottke. Slowly building with electric guitar, bass and drums and then backing down to a quiet vocal, this is a very nice conclusion to a very strong release.

 

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