HIRSH GARDNER (New England) – My Brain Needs A Holiday (2017)

Renowned New England drummer HIRSH GARDNER is back with a new solo album (after many years working for others) titled “My Brain Needs A Holiday” to be released in September.
It’s a fabulously varied record filled with uplifting, catchy and melodic rock music.

Best known as the drummer for classic American melodic rock / pomp AOR cult band New England during the ’80s, Canada-born Hirsh also played in Warrior (basically New England minus John Fannon plus KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent) and also had an important part in the early work on what became the first Vinnie Vincent Invasion album.

When I call him a drummer, I’m really only scratching the surface of his talents. He’s a Berklee trained multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer (Vice, Shy Boy) and one hell of a vocalist – his harmonies in New England are legendary.

“My Brain Needs A Holiday” is full of great stuff. As happened with his previous solo album, it is very Hirsh: diverse, uplifting and catchy rockin’.
He’s helped along the way by some very special guest musicians including guitarists Jimmy Waldo (New England), Richie Ranno (Starz), Ron Bumblefoot Thal (Guns N’ Roses, Art of Anarchy), the great Jon Butcher and more.
That’s to say that one of the terrific elements of this album are the fiery guitar solos, as within ‘Sister Jane’, ‘Shadows’ or the title cut.

Another significant element is the superior harmonious vocal arrangements in every song, but most notable within ‘Do Me Do Me’, ‘Diamond Moon’, and the epic choral feeling of ‘Love Is’ – an impressive track mostly done a capella and very reminiscent of New England.
Speaking of his former band, ‘If You Need t’Talk’ could have been a hit for New England in the early ’80s. Very catchy song.

Also really interesting is ‘Sister Jane’, a cover from an obscure French Prog Rock band called Tai Phong, and a well worked version of the Procol Harum classic ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’.
That classic song is not easy to do, but Gardner & co. nails the symphonic texture, and there’s another fandamntastic guitar solo.

I think the best word to define “My Brain Needs A Holiday” is ‘authenticity’. Hirsh Gardner the guys sound like real musicians, playing wood & steel without artifacts.
Gardner’s vocals are impeccable sounding as good as ever, and the whole record is beautifully produced and arranged. Oh yeah, and you have some awesome songs.
All this to say, as a solo album, “My Brain Needs A Holiday” is a great return for Hirsh Gardner solo. He’s a creative master of Melodic Rock / AOR.
Hopefully, another 15 years won’t pass before we hear another album.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Lost In The Darkness Tonight
02 – My Brain Needs A Holiday
03 – Git It Back
04 – Love Is
05 – Do Me Do Me
06 – If You Need t’Talk
07 – Diamond Moon
08 – Shadows
09 – Sister Jane
10 – Winter Shade Of Pale

Hirsh Gardner – lead & backing vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards
Jimmy Waldo – keyboards, backing vocals
Joe Mudarri, Steve Baxter – bass
Gary Smith – keyboards
Joe Feloni, Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, Jodee Frawlee, Joel Burns, Jon Butcher, Richie Ranno, J Rushwell – guitars

Pre Order
www.amazon.co.uk/Brain-Needs-Holiday-Hirsh-Gardner/dp/B07474R62V
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