Several weeks ago I was able to attend the release party for
this CD in New York City. The music that night sounded great, but I was worried
that it might not transfer to the CD. I was wrong. Three Shots might be the stepping-stone Hollis Brown needs to go up
another notch or two in the music business.
Hollis Brown has five members, fronted by
songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Mike
Montali, who possesses one of the great singing voices in rock music today. The
Cleveland connection to the band is bassist/vocalist Dillon DeVito. He is the
son of Denis DeVito, leader of the locally popular club/festival band Cats on
Holiday. Dillon paid his local dues playing in a series of local bands,
including his father’s, before setting off to New York City to join Hollis
Brown.
This album is a rock and roll record. It is not the pop
country or over synthesized electronic music popular with some young people.
This album is the real deal. Guitars, keyboards and a dynamite rhythm section,
backing up a singer with a great set of pipes. This could be a big deal. The
band on this disk shows a variety of influences, from CCR to Squeeze to Small
Faces to Matthew Sweet.
After a series of self released albums, a lot of touring,
some success getting songs on TV shows, “3 Shots” is by far their most polished
and professional sounding release.
Amongst the highlights are several ballads including “Death of an
Actress” and “Mi Amor”; the concert favorite “John Wayne”; “Sweet Tooth”, with Montali channeling
Glen Tillbrook; and the duet “Highway 1”, with Montali sharing vocals with
guest Nikki Lane. There is not a weak track on the disk.
Hollis Brown is going to spend most of the summer on tour
with the Counting Crows. They will be making a side appearance tomorrow night May
28 at Mahalls in Lakewood. Check these guys out, you might get a chance to brag
about it one day.
For more information on Hollis Brown go to www.hollisbrown.com.
