In 2017, three German rock icons met at Incredible Pack and dedicated themselves to the blues. In 2020 the band decided to record their debut album "Packed In Blue".
Already the first sounds of the first song "DOA" show what to expect on the record. The first guitar sounds are accompanied by a rattle and a mood is created that transports the listener mentally into the vastness of Texas. From this a blues piece develops in the direction of the Little Ol` Band. Martelle's rough, rather spoken style of singing, guitar riffs and solos are stylistically reminiscent of ZZ Top. The dynamic song is supported by Manni von Bohr working on the drums and the bubbling bass, played by Tony Spagone, who also form a strong rhythm section in the other songs, played to the point.
The high level of the opener is not left in the further course of the disc, and stylistically the rather rough blues rock made in Texas is the defining element. With the exception of a few cover songs, most of it came from the pen of Martelle, the fronter of the band, who was also responsible for the production in the Frankfurt Jungle Studios. Only with the Bowie cover "Rebel Rebel" with a psychedelic intro and a first verse, which seems to be sung from beyond the grave, the blues is a little behind and a rocking version of the classic develops. With the album, Martelle, after having been active in German rock for a long time as an active part of the Jule Neigel Band, has arrived where his real musical love is, blues rock.
The strong debut of the band ends with the blues classic "Bullfrog Blues", which Martelle announces in the intro as an often covered song.
It is positive that the interspersed cover songs do not serve to spice up the record, but rather represent an addition to their own blues songs, in which Martelle also shows his qualities in songwriting.
It will be interesting when the power trio can finally present the songs live, as it is material that gives a lot of leeway for free musical development.
Blues and rock fans will like the album, where three "oldies" show with a lot of playfulness that they are far from old and that blues made in Germany can also be of high quality!
(Text: Gernot Mangold)
01 DOA
02 I Wanna Know
03 Ain’t Taking No Hit
04 Hooked On You
05 Loveblind
06 What’s That Sound
07 Take It Out On Me
08 Alone In The Dark
09 Alligator
10 Endless Brighter Days
11 Rebel Rebel
12 Bullfrog Blues
