ROBERT PEHRSSON’S HUMBUCKER – ST (2013)
* No cuts – CD version
Swedish guitarist, singer & songwriter ROBERT PEHRSSON is releasing today his first solo album, a self-titled project entitled HUMBUCKER. And who is this Robert Pehrsson? No idea. In the press release are many names with which he has worked, but most of them does not ring a bell at all. Occurs that Pehrsson has an extreme metal background, that’s why.
But the Swede – who actually comes from the thrash and death metal – presents on “Robert Pehrsson’s Humbucker” a great traditional Hard Rock / Classic Rock inspired album that is just awesome.
Robert Pehrsson started his career as a guitarist/vocalist around 88-89, then concentrating mainly on playing extreme music like thrash and early death metal, but soon branched out in different musical genres yet always focused on rock music.
As most musicians, he pick up the guitar in his teens encouraged by the greats and started playing classic rock, powerpop and regular hard rock, so Robert has a pretty broad musical spectrum.
And seems he has learned the lessons quite well, as “Robert Pehrsson’s Humbucker” distills pure guitar-driven songs plenty of energy, flesh, blood and soul like it used to be in the good old days.
The recording band features Robert’s friends lending a hand: Nicke Andersson, Dolf De Borst and Tomas Eriksson from Imperial State Electric, Peter Stjärnvind (Nifelheim, Black Trip), Joseph Tholl (Enforcer, Black Trip), Robert Eriksson (ex The Hellacopters), Olle Dahlstedt (Entombed), Johan Bäckman (Necrocourse) and Johannes Borgström.
All these musicians are from quite heavy acts, but honestly, you can’t guess it because their feeling & musicality are truly impressive.
This is pure late seventies Classic Rock, but made so incredibly good. Thin Lizzy, Michael Schenker, UFO, The Knack, even some Kiss come out of the speakers, but it still does not sound a copy, that’s called influences and Pehrsson imprints his own, personal touch.
We have emotive six-string driven rockers like “Haunt My Mind”, “Serious” which has definitely some Thin Lizzy on it, “Mesmerizing Shadows”, the catchy “Falling Into Darkness” or “Who Else Is On Your Mind” with its classic Michael Schenker-like licks.
“Running For Shelter” takes a look at classic American Classic Rock akin The Knack, while there’s a relaxing moment on “Can’t Change”, not a ballad, just a groovy cool song with a bluesy vibe. A perfect track to chill.
A favorite of mine is the pounding “Wasted Time” motorin’ by a great beat combined with pushing guitars. Pehrsson has a great feeling for good melodies which are dominating the songs without leading them into clichés. He sings very well too, from the heart.
I can’t find a more proper title for this CD: “Humbucker” is a very popular guitar pickup which has a very charismatic, timeless sound. Ans this is what you will find here.
Vintage Les Paul riffs, thick, authentic drums, rolling bass, fantastic solos and very good vocals, accompanied by a skilled hand in arranging makes this one a pure delight. Production is like in the old good days without sounding outdated. There isn’t modern digital compression here, all comes vivid and the music breathes.
That’s what makes “Robert Pehrsson’s Humbucker” so honest and refreshing; Classic Rock / Hard as it shoud be done.
Very Recommended.
01 – Haunt My Mind
02 – Serious
03 – Keep Me In Your Heart
04 – Can’t Change
05 – Running For Shelter
06 – Wasted Time
07 – Mesmerizing Shadows
08 – Who Else Is On Your Mind
09 – Falling Into Darkness
Robert Pehrsson: Guitar, Vocals
Dolph de Borst: Bass
Thomas Eriksson: Drums
Peter Stjärnvind: Drums
Robert Eriksson: Drums
Olle Dahlstedt: Drums
Nicke Andersson, Joseph Tholl: guest Guitar
BUY IT !
www.ginza.se/product/robert-pehrsson-s-humbucker/130308
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Interesting because there is a band from Norway with the name Humbucker. Maybe that is why it had to be called Robert Pehrsson's Humbucker.
Their album was called R.O.C.K.S. and came out in 2011. Here is an article on SleazeRoxx.com about them: http://www.sleazeroxx.com/bands/humbucker/rocks.shtml
Thanks for all the great tunes. Love the site!