Search - Bellrays :: Red White & Black

5 stars of talent, but for want of a "hit single", a "4"

Bill Stella | Somerville, NJ USA | 02/17/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ohmigod! How did I *live* without hearing this band before? I've learned their debut album was released in 1998. They've been through recent personnel changes, and this must be the re-energized result. Lisa Kekaula dominates with her lead vocals. Others have compared her to Tina Turner. I love Tina, but I hear Lisa as a cross between Cassandra Wilson if she led an all-out rock & soul band, and a savvier, older Janis Joplin who could give her all AND take care of her voice.



After spinning the disk my first time, I collared other DJs at WRSU (88.7 FM, New Brunswick NJ, live stream at wrsu.org) and we had a field day, comparing The BellRays to everyone from Humble Pie, Jefferson Airplane and Cream to an MC5 influenced by post-Bop jazz.



As you may imagine, the performances are blazing and memorable, evoking many influences but not aping anything too closely. This is re-invention, not invention, but the band injects plenty of their own personalities, and what could seem retro instead is as invigorating as fresh-brewed coffee. The one missing element is a killer song or three, material an audience could identify with the band, the "hit single" their talent deserves. In my fantasy for the BellRays' success, they write or find a song which, like "Private Dancer" or "Somebody To Love", kick re-starts their career.



If intrigued, you know you need to listen for yourself.



Thanks to fellow San Francisco Bay area musical mainstays Jello Biafra and his Alternative Tentacles label for apparently rescuing this album from import-only status.



See Best of the Year reviews for 1999 thru 2005 in my "So You Want to Know...?" guides."

This is what an atomic punk & soul revolution sounds like...

Donald B. Payjack | Calgary, AB Canada | 08/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD will blow your speakers and your mind at the same time... intense fuzz-face guitars, over-the-top fervant black soul preaching by one of the best female singers in the world and a pace that just will not back down. One of the few bands who can be legitimately compared to the MC5 in terms of intesity... every time I listen to this CD I want to click it off and go firebomb the man!! (and you will too!)"