Maryland-based Lionize are made up of Nate Bergman (vocals & guitar), Chris Brooks (keyboards & vocals), and Henry Upton (bass & vocals). Since their formation in 2004, the band has put together a total of five albums; all of which have displayed their intriguing palette of influences. From 2008’s reggae-tinged Space Pope And The Glass Machine, to the soul and blues tones of 2011’s Destruction Manual, Lionize’s sound has developed over time. Names like Deep Purple and O. V. Wright might enter your head while listening, but then so might Led Zeppelin and Solomon Burke.
Jetpack Soundtrack is their latest work and their first for the Weathermaker Music label. Co-produced by Machine and Clutch drummer Jean-Paul Gaster; Jetpack Soundtrack may be their best work to date with added depth, power, and creativity relative to their previous work. What is immediately obvious is the band’s love for, and debt to, the 1970’s space rock shown in the progressive and psychedelic sound on the track “Evolve”. They blend this flavor with that of the funk of the Red Hot Chili Peppers “Breather”, with dashes of AC/DC in the delivery. If this sounds like an odd mix, that is as it may be, but it works very well.
The songs on the album are very well structured, and you can tell that the hours in the studio have paid off. The forceful and powerful title track “Jetpack Soundtrack”, along with “Electric Reckoning”, continue the funk with bass and keyboards being overlaid with wah-wah guitar and other interesting effects. The energetic “Replaced By Machines” packs a punch, resounding as it does with both heart and power. The song “Reality Check” has a great tune to it, and that vibe continues with “Lazarus Style”, which in places reminds of Rage Against The Machine.
Jetpack Soundtrack is full of unexpected turns. It blends sounds in an unusual and interesting way, showing the experience and worldview of the band. The instrumental introduction to closing song “Sea Of Tranquility” combines the band’s signature elements of blues and soul together with funk, but also has the swagger of reggae; think of bands like Dreadzone who exemplify this admixture of sounds. The ending of the album is particularly well done, returning to the spacey theme of its beginning.
Lionize deliver great songs with a multi-layered invigorating sound. The album will appeal to those who like something a little different, to those who like bands who acknowledge their influences while putting their own stamp on music, and are not afraid to take things into new directions. CrypticRock gives this album 4 out of 5.
- Weathermaker Music
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