photo by Kelly Davidson; photo courtesy of Knyvet
Album Review of Girl with a Hawk: Regenesis (Rum Bar Records)
Two of the songs on Girl with a Hawk‘s Regenesis were part of my GWAH 3-singles review last year. But “Share It All” and “No One Like You” are joined by 7 other cool old-school rock numbers on this full-length release.
As on the singles, Linda Viens (lead vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar) is joined by Richard Lamphear (keyboards), Daniel Coughlin (guitars), Daniel George Bernfeld (bass), and Nancy Delaney (drums), a line-up whose tight working relationship helps deliver the cohesive sound that ties together this classic, rollicking, varied rock ‘n roll effort with all the musicianship of a strong collection of instrumentalists while maintaining the loose, jamming, raw vibe of a top-shelf garage band.
cover art by Carissa Johnson; image courtesy of Knyvet
The record kicks off with the steady, swaying “Way with Words,” a modest rockin’ complaint of a number that keeps things musically light even when the lyrics suggest annoyance, resulting in a fun disc-opener. (Apologies to those who walk by when I listen with headphone on, since there are a couple spots where I always sing along. I can’t seem to stop myself.)
It’s followed by perhaps the signature song on this record, “I’m in Love with My Friends,” a cheerfully reminiscent, uptempo number with a totally sing-along chorus. Locals will also dig the shout-out to favorite Cambridge live-music-and-drinkin’ spot the Plough and Stars.
“No One Like You,” part of last year’s GWAH singles review, slots in nicely in the third slot, keeping the energy lively and positive. Things then get a little more “real” on “The Fighter,” a thoughtful, dense-feeling, heavy power rocker.
The lightness returns immediately on the pleasantly melodic “Share It All,” which was also part of last year’s review and remains one of my favorites on this record. It’s followed by “Full Moon,” an interesting, thumping amalgam that hides a thoughtful treatise on modern society within a moderately rueful relationship song that, musical, doesn’t change direction throughout the song, unique as part of this collection.
Girl with a Hawk slows things down with gravelly ballad “Beautiful Today.” A waltz, in fact. Very cool! “It’s the Way” follows, hinting at progressive rock influences during its opening before settling into a relatively GWAH-typical, steady rocker with harmonies, musical flourishes, a singalongable “woo hoo hoo,” and vocal and lyrical nuances to keep the attentive listener happily occupied for at least a few dozen listens.
Finally – and far too soon – Regenesis ends with another of my personal favorites, “Wasn’t It Just Yesterday,” an energetic, buzzy rockin’ ode to being a rocker, notably an aging rocker, noting “the only trouble is I forgot I’m getting old.” Young at heart, though. And cool af. Both this song and the life of a rocker.
And the album, Regenesis. If you’ve got a collection of ’70s/’80s rock albums, this belongs as one of your new classic entries. And I noticed Rum Bar is selling it on vinyl, too, if you’re so inclined. Just sayin’. It’s also worth getting to know these songs in preparation for seeing Girl with a Hawk perform them live, something I wholeheartedly recommend!
