When the word got out that The Winery Dogs had formed it was impossible to not get excited. I mean who wouldn’t want to hear a power trio made up of lead vocalist/guitarist Richie Kotzen (Poison, Mr Big and a whole bunch of brilliant solo albums), bassist Billy Sheehan (Mr Big, David Lee Roth, Sons Of Apollo, Skills) and drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Flying Colors, Sons Of Apollo)? What was also quite unclear was how this band would sound. In what genre would they dwell? Lots to be excited about and a few questions. The Winery Dogs did not disappoint. Not one bit. The self-titled debut from 2013 was magnificent. Full of fresh and vital Classic Rock made by brilliant musicians without overdoing the musicianship and focusing on groove and great songs, expectations were of course monumental when it was revealed that a follow-up would come out and that this was actually a real band and not just another all-star project.
The follow-up Hot Streak that came out two years later didn’t disappoint either – quite the contrary it really kept all the promises that the debut gave. I can’t even decide which album I love the most because they’re both fantastic. I also got the chance to catch the band live at Sweden Rock Festival and they were phenomenal – the groove was contagious to say the least. It stood clear that the three guys had lots of chemistry between them. Due to the guys’ full schedule, the Winery Dogs was put on hold for a few years but now eight years later they’re on again with their third effort and expectations aren’t lower this time.
Opening track and lead-off single “Xanadu” (no, it’s not an Olivia Newton-John cover) reveals that us fans have nothing to worry about. It has Winery Dogs written all over it – it’s a fat and big-grooved Classic Rock stomper, rhythmic, riffy and chunky with inserted hand-claps and also slightly jazzy inserts with a winning sing-along, power-pop hooky chorus as the icing on the cake. Phenomenal. On a bluesy and R&B-laden note, second single “Mad World” comes along with a juicy groove. It’s 70’s flavored Classic Rock with a striking main melody on a bouncy rhythm and a refrain that’s reminiscent of Kotzen’s solo-work – very memorable. Good one.
The next-latest single “Breakthrough” is a mid-paced Classic Rock tune where the held-back verses gives a semi-ballad vibe with a soulful atmosphere. It’s a bit on the mellower side and brings on a chorus with an immediate pop-hook. It’s smooth yet somewhat rowdy but never slick or glossy even though the chorus catches on right off the bat. Splendid. On a steady, beefy beat and with a crunchy and rough-edged riff, the rhythmic, 70’s smelling Classic Rock kicker “Rise” screams Kotzen solo a long way albeit with Sheehan’s and Portnoy’s personal delivery as the rhythm-section which of course brings on a whole other dynamic. Another brilliant and catchy rocker.
On a fat and a bit funky bass-line, latest single “Stars” comes in mid tempo yet with a foot-stomping groove and a straight-forward beat. The tune takes a trippy structure and a dreamy atmosphere in the verses but goes on rougher and edgier when the chorus comes along. At six minutes it spontaneously come across a a bit long for a single but it’s an infectious and easily embraced tune with a brilliant chorus and the six minutes swishes by in no-time. Splendid. “The Vengeance” is more of a straight ahead pop-rocker with a Classic Rock outlook. It holds distinct, infectious and direct melodies all over with a juicy stomp and the chorus is spot-on. Great tune.
The mid paced rocker “Pharaoh” brings on a prominent bass-line signed Sheehan which takes my mind to Mr Big. It holds a throwback to 70’s Hard Rock as well with some less intense verses, a bit held back but still with a groove but a raunchy and grovely guitar kicks the chorus into motion on a powerhouse groove with a raw hook and the solo-part is distinct and in-your-face. Good one. The fast-tracked “Gaslight” is a slammin’ hard-rocker on a straight forward note and lands somewhere between David Lee Roth’s/Talas’ “Shyboy” and Mr Big’s “Daddy Brother Lover Little Boy”. It’s a raw and ballsy number that runs on rocket-fuel and sure kicks up lots of dust along the road. Good one.
“Lorelei” is a slower blues-tinted semi-ballad with a rhythmic stomp and an atmospheric soundscape. It’s quite laid-back and mellow with a 70’s Classic Rock balladry structure. On top lies a vocal-melody reminiscent of Kotzen’s solo-stuff with some soulful singing by the man. It’s a calming number with a smoother outlook and some tranquil melodies. This is gorgeous. The lengthy closer “The Red Wine” is a bouncy stomper not at all unlike modern Mr Big where edgy Hard Rock meets Classic Rock on a juicy swing. There’s lots of firey riffing involved and the rhythm-section takes the song into heavier territories which creates a huge live-feel. It’s hooky too with a distinct refrain that really catches on from go. Terrific.
Again The Winery Dogs has served us a tasty portion of edgy Classic Rock with both edge, heaviness and hooky melodies. As brilliant as these guys are as musicians they still maintain that the song is what it’s important. Melodies. Hooks. This could have been a musicians’ band but they’re really not even though their skills shines through a lot. While not as strong as the two previous albums, it’s still a damn good record – rootsy, organic and down-to-earth with no bad songs in sight. As much as I love the guys’ different projects they’re in, my wish is that they’d make The Winery Dogs their main priority.
8/10
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Tracklist:
1. Xanadu
2. Mad World
3. Breakthrough
4. Rise
5. Stars
6. The Vengeance
7. Pharaoh
8. Gaslight
9. Lorelei
10. The Red Wine
CD & Festival reviews 