One of the best albums of 2007 is easily Return of the Mother Head’s Family Reunion by Richie Kotzen. Featuring eclectic styles, great songwriting and Richie’s melodic voice, this album has everything a fan of blues-based rock could want or need.
The track “You Know That” is one of the album’s best. It is half rock, half funk and completely fantastic. Many parts of this song are a throwback to classic rock of the 1960s. “You Know That” is a song with great guitar work that makes you want to move. Think Parliament Funkadelic meets The 5th Dimension meets the Rolling Stones.
A little slower is “You’re Crazy.” As per usual Kotzen, the guitar work album-wide is phenomenal, but exceptionally good on this track. The emotional lyrics help Kotzen and his band seem more human, thus the songs more believable. Piano work adds an extra layer to this melodic rock track.
If you like mellow, you’ll probably dig “Faith,” with its slow tempo and passionate vocals. While Return of the Mother Head’s Family Reunion is a decidedly rock album, “Faith” has an (unsurprising) gospel feel. Kotzen pours his heart out for his listeners, and we win. Even if you don’t like religious music, “Faith” is surprisingly approachable and exceptionally enjoyable.
Back to the rock. “Drift” helps pick up the pace, and illustrates many of Kotzen’s many guitar techniques, including sweeping. In America, Return of the Mother Head’s Family Reunion is actually called Go Faster, and that’s another track on the album. “Go Faster” is the hardest and fastest track on the release and it also features a big chorus. This is also the most commercial track on the album, meaning a great opportunity for radio play. Do yourself a favor. Plunk down some cash and buy this album.
