What do you expect from a band that has a name of a single person? What do you expect from an album that makes such boisterous claims that “Only Rock and Roll Can Save Us Now”? Well One thing is for sure you better be able to move your head and leg because both will be bobbing and tapping throughout the whole record.

Tyler Read is a hard band to define. They are definitely a rock band that brings out the melodic vocals but they are also a band that digs a little bit deeper and find each person’s sweet spot. The record starts with “The Killer” which is both fast and dirty musically speaking. The song breaks half way with a bouncy verse “Everyone want to go to heaven, but no one wants to die…” which then leads back into the same style the song started with. “Michael Jackson” will get much interest because of its name. The song which is bass driven has a very thick melody which will get stuck to you after the first listen. Is it worthy of a Michael Jackson label? That’s for you to decide.

Once you are a couple songs into the album you can pretty much figure out the bands formula and there is not a lot of variance but that’s not to say you’ll be bored. “Baby’s Got a Gun” throws some gang vocals in a couple spots and gives the song exactly what it needs. “Fire Away” is probably my favorite song on the record because it shows the deeper side of the band. The song begins with catchy guitar which lead into mellow verses where the vocals just pop and let you really appreciate them.

This is one of those bands that are in danger of being judged on their name before people get a chance to listen to them. The album “Only Rock and Roll Can Save Us Now” is not the best album to come out this year, but it a worthy addition and will gain this band some notoriety.

Tracklisting

1. The Killer
2. Intentions
3. Michael Jackson
4. Only Rock And Roll Can Save Us Now
5. All You Need Is Love, But
6. A Litmus Test
7. Baby’s Got A Gun
8. Fire Away
9. Private School Girls
10. Get Ready
11. Heaven