Post by jptheprofessor on Mar 8, 2007 18:21:57 GMT -5
DONNIE IRIS AND THE CRUISERS – ELLWOOD CITY (Primary Records) Although now into his 60’s, nobody will accuse Donnie Iris of resting on his laurels after hearing his first studio offering in nine years, Ellwood City, a freewheeling album that finds Iris and his longtime band The Cruisers still rocking hard and dabbling in a variety of styles and sounds. Iris again collaborates with longtime songwriting partner and keyboard player Mark Avsec, and the results are diverse and ultimately fun. Any doubts that Dominic Ierace can still rock are quickly erased by the album-opener and first single “Little Black Dress,” a hard-driving, rip-roaring rocker with an infectious hook and harmony-laden choruses. Donnie and the Cruisers make it a one-two punch, following up with a fresh, tribal drumbeat-driven update of “Soul Man,” featuring an escalating arrangement underscored and accented by Avsec’s hearty organ groan. The album then ventures off in a variety of directions, offering several surprises along the way. “Let’s Go” takes on a David Bowie-like modern pop sound, while “Just Go Tango” explores exotic frontiers, and “Rocque Fantastique” introduces Iris rapping along a funky beat. The title track, “Ellwood City,” is a mellow and reminiscent tribute to Iris’ western Pennsylvania hometown. “River of Love,” “Love Me with the Light On,” “Love Messiah” and “You Got My Body (You Don’t Have My Soul)” offer feisty, hard-driving rock’n’soul. The main body of the album closes out with the dark, Procol Harum-esque “Tuesday Morning,” before a bonus section featuring an extended mix version of “Just Go Tango” and the Elvis-like ballad “With This Ring” stretch the disc out to a generous 70 minutes of music. Donnie Iris’ voice is still in great form, showing ample spirit, range, soul and versatility throughout the album’s variety of flavors. The songwriting chemistry between Iris and Avsec (who also produced the album) still works; as the songs, arrangements and vocal harmonies are crisp, catchy and often playful. Donnie Iris and the Cruisers aren’t just cruising on Ellwood City; they’re stepping on the gas and delivering an enthusiastic, vibrant, fresh-sounding set.