Kalo - Dear John - Release Review

I just received the most recent release, Dear John, from Kalo and it's quite interesting. Opening with title track, Dear John, Israeli born, Bat-Or Kalo leads this blues rock power band with solid driving guitar riffs and her own vocals. Backed by Mack McKinney on bass and Erin Nelson on drums these guys mean business. Treat Me Bad has a light funky beat, joined by John Knudson on keys. With a catchy melody and even balance, this is a cool radio track. March To The Light has a lighter European folk sound with Knudson on Banjo and with light acoustic accompaniment backing Kalo's vocals. Marie is an easy paced radio ballad with a sweet melody. Heartbreak is a rich sensuous pop track with a soothing melody. Kalo's guitar soloing is quite slick and tasty. Boogie track, Oh Father, has a real nice bottom with Nelson and McKinney leading the way. Todd Clark joins on harp and Kalo drives the vocal harmonies and ultimately frenzied guitar soloing. Very cool. Down, Down, Down is a funky pop track with a lot of polish. Blue Chevy has a nice blend of rock, pop and country with Kalo controlling the tension on guitar with smooth vocals. Looking For Me has a bluegrass undertone with banjo and fiddle by Knudson and Nelson on drums. Once I Had A Heart has a really cool flanged bass part diving it a darkness and with crisp drums from Nelson and strong organ attack from Knudson. Kalo lays down solid guitar/vocal duet work giving the track a real interesting sound. Goodbye is a really nicely written and performed ballad. Structured over a simple arpeggio and with clean vocal and guitar work, this is a definite standout track. Like It Or Not is an updated boogie track with nice reverb laden chords and a nice bass line. Very cool. Tender Love is a nicely written ballad where Kalo's vocals are supported by piano. The richness of her voice against the clarity of the piano is really strong. Tension is raised by the addition of drums and guitar before bringing the track back to quiet. Very nicely done. Can't Sleep At Night is a simple folk track with Kalo singing tandem lead vocals. Nicely blended vocals over acoustic guitar and the addition of violin provides a simple clean statement as a conclusion.

  

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