ALBUM REVIEW: Lucid Street’s Debut LP
“Tizzone’s vocals come in with zero subtlety. Soaring from low to incredibly high and perfectly delivering every note along the way.”
While all of my reviews are done upon my first listen of an album or EP, I typically do so via a link supplied by the artist or, in lesser cases, on a streaming service. This review is different as I was not sent a link and was unable to listen via streaming, as it was ahead of its release date. Instead, I was sent an advance copy of the album on vinyl after Lucid Street singer Cait Tizzone confirmed that I had a turntable, of course.
What follows may seem like a typical review from me, but there was just something about listening to this album through headphones on vinyl that made me feel like I was going to be able to get a more solid connection to what I was about to hear.
For instance, while I had heard the opener “Potential Redemption” before, the crackle of the record acted as a hidden part of the song; it was like it was supposed to be there all along. That crackle becomes the perfect introduction to Billy Buono’s piano chops–first sweeping and melodic, then immediately frantic ‘70s rock-n-roll. Buono’s piano work in these first few seconds makes it apparent that Lucid Street are bringing pure talent.
Tizzone’s vocals come in with zero subtlety. Soaring from low to incredibly high and perfectly delivering every note along the way, it became immediately clear that Tizzone would stand out on this album, even with the level of talent from the rest of the band.
While the first part of “Potential Redemption” is very piano-driven, at about the minute and a half mark, Nolan Hassler comes in with one of the smoothest guitar solos I’ve heard in recent memory. It immediately reminded me of Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter, who did some of the most well known guitar solos for the likes of Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers. Tight, succinct and groovy, Hassler’s solo work on this opener is unquestionably top-tier.
The second song steps away from the urgency and speed of “Potential Redemption” and slows it down just a bit. “Time” is a more melancholic tune that seems to be exploring not only time itself, but one's use of it.
“I get so stuck on a schedule. It falls apart and then I can’t function,” laments Tizzone on this slow rocker.
One great moment on “Time” is when drummer Mike Ilyadis and Hassler lock in for a really solid ‘80s-metal bridge. It’s only about fifteen seconds long, but for those few seconds, I was a kid sitting on a shag carpet listening to an Ozzy Osbourne vinyl through headphones.
Tizzone’s vocals and Buono’s keys are again in the spotlight on “Shades of Red,” which opens with a back-and-forth between the two, before kicking into a blistering rocker. The album jumps seamlessly between upbeat and playful on “ADD”, to serious and even a little dark on “Stay True to the Cliche,” which has a fantastic low-end supplied by bassist Phil Manitta. The album ends with a double-punch of “Ms. Perfection” and “Mr. Speed.” The former is a slow building rock song, capped with some clean guitar work from Hassler, and the latter kicks right in with some violin-infused speed metal.
Laced with talent and more-than-slight nods to the forefathers of rock, Lucid Street’s debut album will scratch the itch of anyone who is as passionate about the foundations of modern rock as Lucid Street apparently are, especially on vinyl.
