Primitive Son

One thing that I've learned about bands in my life of listening to music is that if there is one other thing that they like to have odd/colorful names for other than for the band or the album title, it's having the band members names be odd. In this case it's with Eli Cook and his band members, all two of them, who are being called on their Facebook page, "Hammer of the Gods: Wade Warield" and "Four String Electric Thunder-Broom: Rob Richmond". Got to say I actually like these names but beyond that there's nothing odd about this new album, "Primitive Son" by Eli Cook. This Charlottesville, VA native has produced a new album of hard rock blues music with 14 tracks of said music.

This album is lacking nothing when it comes to style in the music. Maybe not breakthrough but it's defiantly has a good sound being used in the songs that make this album fun to listen to. This is some good southern blues music being played in a hard rock rhythm, which is what I like about. If it was one or the other then this album wouldn't have been much different than what I can get off the radio but by combining the two styles, Eli Cook has made some tunes with groove that has an edge. From what I could find out about Eli Cook, he has been playing the guitar since he was a kid and that skill is heard in this music.

What I found interesting in the way that Eli Cook and his two band mates play is how they have blended the styles. Yes the mixing of blues and hard rock is something that worked out well along with the talent of the band, but it's also how they blend the radio style without losing their own sound. There are catchy beats and lyrics being used in the songs that give them the radio vibe but it's also the unique sound that allows Eli Cook to stay a band that is doing this just for the music. Even though these guys have the odd name they also have talent when it comes to playing their instruments. It's a well mixed album that brings out each sound without drowning out another, and the vocals are clearly heard. Though I think what I liked the most was how the mood was set to make me want to just groove along with the song but the energy of the hard rock had me wanting to get moving. Even with the name of "Primitive Son", there wasn't anything primal about this album, but it does have a lot of well played songs.