Wednesday, December 5, 2012

CD Reviews: The Belvederes And Rob Schulz


Photo from The Belvederes ReverbNation website.

Note: These reviews originally appeared in the Around Hears section of the Illinois Entertainer.

The no frills, guitar-based arrangements on the self-titled debut from The Belvederes fall somewhere between punk and mainstream rock. Lead vocalist-guitarist John Michael Ford effectively conveys the ups and downs of relationships, from the romantic sentiments of the mid-tempo “My Love” to jealous rage on the revved-up “Anymore.” A streetwise sensibility runs throughout these nine melodic songs, along with a Springsteen-like vision that love can sometimes overcome adversity.

“Guantanamo Bay,” the rollicking first track on Rob Schulz’s Tragedy & Comedy CD, establishes this veteran singer-guitarist’s knack for positioning a liberal point of view within power pop arrangements. “I’m Not Going To Live In Fear” and “You Can Come Out Now” also offer biting political lyrics, but Schulz is adept at other subject matter as well. The heartfelt ballad “I Was A Fool” depicts a troubled relationship, while the title track advocates self confidence.

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