Brian Setzer Returns To His Roots

When Brian Setzer released his album, 13, in 2006 it was easy to hear the former Stray Cats front man was heading in a different direction than anything he had put out before it.

A quality record, but very different from the sound he had become so well known for. Five years later he released Setzer Goes Instru-Mental! To the fans it was like a sip of water in a scorching desert.

Still, with each great track there was an undeniable need for some vocals, and that sip of water ended up leaving everyone thirsty for more.

It's a thirst that was quenched for many who were lucky enough to catch Setzer on his Rockabilly Riot world tour, and later to everyone else with his live album of recorded tracks throughout the tour's run.

This was the first tour he had embarked on without the use of his orchestra in years.

It was looking more and more likely that Setzer was inching his way back to his stripped down, basic, badass, rockabilly roots, and that suspicion was confirmed this year with the recording of his new album Rockabilly Riot: All Original.

On this record we hear Setzer smack dab in the middle of his element, where he sings about lust, love, and everything in between, including a track dedicated to a man's love of his car. What's a rockabilly record without a hot rod track? Opening with Let's Shake we are thrown into the heart of the rockabilly world.

Though always surrounded by talented musicians this fits well with the entire Brian Setzer discography as a guitar heavy album. However, the addition of the boogie piano on many of the tracks is a welcome addition.

Though he keeps his pace on most of the songs we get a little break from the hypnotic guitar riffs on The Girl With The Blues In Her Eyes to remind us that there's also a voice to fall in love with.

It's a great song, but when followed by Stiletto Cool you forget all about that poor girl. We're ripped right back into Setzer's world where gritty and clean are one and the same.

All twelve of these tracks will do nothing but strengthen the arsenal of music Setzer has assembled in his 30+ years of recording. Though I hope there won't be as big a gap between solo projects next time around I can honestly say that this one was well worth the wait.

You can purchase it on August 12th, or if you're impatient like me, you can hear it here.