Search - Forty Deuce :: Nothing to Lose

Forty.5 Deuce stars...this CD cooks like nothing you've hear

cd-heaven | ROCK CITY | 10/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a contender for album of the year. I may by a bit bias as I am a huge Richie Kotzen fan but then again I couldn't get into his last CD, Get Up, it was good but it was no Slow, or even Change, which both were fantastic. Forty Deuce is Richie's new band. Yeah, it's his band name, but let me make one thing crystal clear, this is 100 % Richie Kotzen. The bozo below me who recently reviewed this describes this as "nu-metal" or Deftones sounding??!!?? WTF is this guy talking about, he probably has even heard the mudic. This CD is 100 % kick-ass ROCK, and it is awesome from beginning to end. In fact, the 1st song Oh My God is my favorite Richie song of all time. I am not kidding, if you know how Richie's music, and lyrics have been in the past when this guy is down and out on love (i.e. Let's say Goodbye or Dont Wanna Lie from Slow, Lose Again from What Is, Change or High from Change, etc.), Oh My God is his most perfect song to reflect the mistakes love can make. Richie kicks himself in the ass on this song and it is a crusher and it totally rocks. Cuss words are all over this song, as well as several other choice F words fly about this CD. What I like about this CD, is Forty Deuce is Richie's band. he has another guitar player, named Taka, a bassist named Ari, and a drummer Thr3e. This enabled Richie is rock hard and all out, because on Richie's solo releases he plays all instruments, and he just follows a familiar pattern or rhythm with alot of the songs on his solo releases. Forty Deuce lets Richie just rip it out, emotionally, lyrically, agressively, this is a hard rocking release yet, it is familiar territory, it doesn't vere off into being too heavy or metal, it's just kick ass rock n roll. Other songs that rock are I Still, Start It Up, Complicated (another Richie classic), Say, heaven, Stand Up, Next To Me, Standing in the Rain, wanted, and Nothing to Lose. If you are a fan of Richies or you want some kick ass Rock I gaurantee you wont be disappointed with this CD, I am not. I love it, and Richie just keeps hitting Grand Slams with each release! Love ya man!"

When will Ritchie Kotzen get the credit he deserves?

R. Gorham | 06/08/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"THE BAND: Ritchie Kotzen (guitars, vocals), Taka Tamada (guitars), Ari Baron (bass), Thr3e (drums & percussion).



THE DISC: (2005) 12 tracks clocking in at approximately 40 minutes. Included with the disc is a 3-page foldout containing song titles/credits, song lyrics, one band photo, and equipment used. Recorded at Headroom, Inc (N. Hollywood, CA). Label - Locomotive Records.



COMMENTS: Kotzen's prowess on the guitar is a given. His albums with Poison and Mr. Big were underrated and never considered mainstream. His solo albums have a modest underground following. Yet, outside his peers and others in the music circle, Kotzen eludes the limelight. There's no denying the boy can shred... but why isn't he getting the recognition he deserves? Perhaps this is part of his allure. Forty Deuce (the band, not the Las Vegas or Hollywood nightclub) may have come and gone on one album. As of 2007, the future is unknown. The songs here are gritty, catchy, soulful and melodic. Similarities to Soundgarden, Mr. Big, Velvet Underground (and G 'N R), and Bang Tango. To me, Kotzen's vocals fall somewhere between Chris Cornell and Sammy Hagar in tone and delivery. Kotzen's relies on heavy guitars, lots of fuzz and distortion, and a few meaningful ballads. The album kicks off with a bang (not including track one - a 19 second intro) with "Oh My God" - easily the catchiest tune on the disc, but destined to never be played on the radio "as is" due to Kotzen dropping the F* bomb a minimum of 10 times. The next best songs are the rockers - "Start It Up", "Stand Up" and perhaps the heaviest song on the album, "Next To You". As hard as the album starts, it definitely quiets down at the end. The last 3 tracks ("Standing In The Rain", "Wanted" and the title track) would nicely fit into the power ballad category. All good songs, but with a much softer and soulful feel. The entire "Nothing To Lose" album has a very gritty basement feel to it. No keyboards, not a whole lot of overdubbing or layers upon layers of guitars... just 4 guys in a Hollywood studio jamming like they only know how. The one and only thing that brings this album down a notch is Kotzen's vocals... unlike his guitar, his singing has a somewhat limited range. "Nothing To Lose" is a good rock album, and at this point it's a shame Kotzen & Co can't/won't strike a deal with a major label (4+ stars)."

My favorite rock album of 2005

J. Orr | toms river, nj | 01/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Richie Kotzen has done it again. Another incredible album. Every song is well written and played. A true rock classic.

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