KAATO – Slam! (2019)
Founded in Australia but currently located in the USA, KAATO surprised us with their very good debut CD (featured here) produced by Mitch Malloy (who also contributed guitar), and now the band are back with a new effort released today titled “Slam!”.
Many things have changed in the KAATO camp since their first album. The band fronted by vocalist Kurt Lowney and bass player Mika Nuutinan has added Hunter Lovan on lead guitar and Christopher Williams on drums, as well as Michael Webb on keyboards.
“Slam!” sounds like a more mature and thoughtfully written album than the band’s debut. In fact, opening title track ‘Slam!’ is a short, but really cool example of what the band is offering. Something of a reflection of country / bluesy hard rock.
I hear some Black Crowes, but mostly Cinderella’s ‘Last Mile’ feel. I wish this was a full song in and of itself.
Soon after appears ‘Glamour Queen’, a great pop-metal rocker that could have been a hit in the ’80s. It’s a fun track all around. ‘Somebody, Someday’ has more classic rock feeling, it reminds me of The Answer in its Revival era, using a southern blues influence with honky tonk keys and a soaring backing vocals in the chorus.
It’s funny how ‘Addicted’ shifts gears somewhat back to a darker glam rock motif reflective of their first album. You can hear Lowney’s evolution on the track ‘In Passing’, his remarkable vocal delivery puts the song into another level. It is a slower and introspective song, well written and performed. A highlight.
“Communication” is a fantastic 2000’s sounding sleazy performance. There are elements of Crashdiet that I recognize, and I even hear a hint of Robin Zander style backing vocal on the chorus.
I’ll go a step further with “Drivin Home.” This track takes some solid guitar lines and mixes it with a talented vocal. It’s a great song overall, and another highlight.
As extras, there’s three KAATO demos from years ago, a good showcase to hear how the band has evolved in a short period of time.
KAATO’s music blend the best of many worlds: ’80s party hard rock, glam, classic rock, and a touch of bluesy, southern country. Every track on this album exudes a party band atmosphere and I think some of that energy does come across on the recordings.
“Slam!” is simply a fun listen from start to finish. I have compared this band to Devil City Angels, The Quireboys, Cinderella, The Answer, etc, but imagine Ted Poley or Mike Tramp with a harder edge as well.
I’d put “Slam!” absolutely on par with all those bands / artists for sure.
Highly Recommended
01 – Slam!
02 – Glamour Queen
03 – Somebody, Someday
04 – Addicted
05 – In Passing
06 – Communication
07 – Drivin’ Home
Extras:
08 – Snake Eyes (demo)
09 – Outlaw Woman (demo)
10 – Best Damn Drug (demo)
Kurt Lowney – vocals, guitars, drums, percussion
Mika Nuutinen – bass
Hunter Lovan – lead guitar
Christopher Williams – drums
Michael Webb – keyboards
BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07P6255N9
.
