Musically, I’m drawn to where
Reno Bo came from. Look no further than
Mooney Suzuki to find Reno. Find Albert Hammond Jr. of the Strokes, and you may see Reno powering through the bass lines of Albert’s solo tunes. After years of playing his part, Reno felt it was time to take the wheel.
Reno Bo has more to offer than where he came from, or his musical influences. Happenings And Other Things is far from a tribute disk to styles created long ago. With that being said, I can’t help but agree with what
Electric Western Records is saying about this seasoned artist. Reno Bo took some of the better parts of established rock and roll music, added ingredients, time, his own talent, and cooked up something unique enough to call his own.
There’s A Light may start with simplicity, but make no mistake, it’s powerful and bright throughout. I dare anyone to tell me that they don’t have the chorus down pat by the end of the song. It’s a sticky number, and worthy of popping the cork of this album.
Reno makes it clear that the influences on his album include Zeppelin, The Beatles, and Tom Petty. The songs Off Your Back, and Here Right Now capture the spirit of George Harrison, if I may be so bold. Play either song a second time, and you will agree with me to be sure. Reno is his own man musically, and he should see the comparison as a compliment.
Something similar can be said for Sugar Suite Blues. It’s all Reno on top of a beat that Bonham would have been proud to play. One verse into Sugar Suite Blues, and I’m air drumming behind my pretend Ludwig drum kit. Yep, it’s Zep flavored Reno Bo on that track.
Shake Me Up and How Does It Feel are songs that give Reno’s vocal style just enough room to carry the load. How Does It Feel has room for some smoking solo work on guitar and it gets a bit haunting near the end of the track. I had to back that track up and play the solo a few times before moving on.
Reno seems to flirt with sounds that seem to be so much a part of rock and roll history. Yes, I hear Petty, Zeppelin, and the like, but I don’t want to leave anyone with the idea that Reno does not put his own creative juice on this album. Half way through this disk, I’m thinking back to a time when The Stones and The Beatles still wore the stiff suits, but were ready to show the world that they had something more to offer. Happenings And Other Things is the album that a band makes after they lose the suits and play what they feel.
Reno Bo is most likely going to hit the Wisconsin area in 2010. Seeing that we are just weeks away from the new year, I’m going to guess that a Reno Bo show might end up at
Shank Hall in Milwaukee. Shank Hall has the right capacity for Reno’s fans. See you in Milwaukee in 2010 Reno.
