The guitarist known for his work in such names as: Richard Hell & The Voidoids, The Clash, Shriekback, among many others; has put out his first solo release. The Naked Flame certainly lives up to his legacy, and talents as musician, and really even goes beyond it. Join us, because this is going to be a good one.
Ivan Julian covers so much ground it feels nearly impossible to truly describe it... The influences are amazingly broad. Each song is very uniquely it's own yet they don't feel incongruent amongst each other. There's rocking tunes like "The Waves", and "A Young Man's Money", which feature an almost 60's rock/Garage Rock style. There's a very Psychedelic, and undeniably Hendrix-esque(to use an already much used comparison) style on the title track. Even a slower ballad-like style appears on "You Is Dead", which is easily arguable as one of the best songs on the album. That's coming from a person who shutters at the sound of the average slow song, if that's helps the testament of what an amazing track "You Is Dead" is.
For the ones who purchase the CD from 00:02:59 Records there's a bonus track, "Godiva". It's an awe-striking, Psychedelic, and almost Avant-garde track that just tops off the album beautifully.
While I can ramble on much longer about the strength of each track, and use many music terms, and genre's to attempt to describe the range of the album; one thing becomes evident. The album is very uniquely Ivan, it's his own style, and his own feelings. Which also explains the perfect flow of the album, while having a nearly indescribable range. It takes a lot of influences, and puts them in a modern setting, but it's by no means a throwback.
Bottom Line: It's an amazing piece of work. Fans of Richard Hell should enjoy it. Really anyone with a soulful taste in Rock should get their fill. Just get it now. A+++
For the ones who purchase the CD from 00:02:59 Records there's a bonus track, "Godiva". It's an awe-striking, Psychedelic, and almost Avant-garde track that just tops off the album beautifully.
While I can ramble on much longer about the strength of each track, and use many music terms, and genre's to attempt to describe the range of the album; one thing becomes evident. The album is very uniquely Ivan, it's his own style, and his own feelings. Which also explains the perfect flow of the album, while having a nearly indescribable range. It takes a lot of influences, and puts them in a modern setting, but it's by no means a throwback.
Bottom Line: It's an amazing piece of work. Fans of Richard Hell should enjoy it. Really anyone with a soulful taste in Rock should get their fill. Just get it now. A+++
Personal Favorites:
"A Young Man's Money",
"The Naked Flame",
"You Is Dead",
and really the whole album.
Track Listing:
1. The Waves
2. A Young Man’s Money
3. The Naked Flame
4. Hardwired
5. That Look
6. The Funky Beat In Siamese
7. Constricted
8. The Beat
9. Sticky
10. You Is Dead
11. Broken Butterflies
12. Godiva(CD Bonus Track)
"A Young Man's Money",
"The Naked Flame",
"You Is Dead",
and really the whole album.
Track Listing:
1. The Waves
2. A Young Man’s Money
3. The Naked Flame
4. Hardwired
5. That Look
6. The Funky Beat In Siamese
7. Constricted
8. The Beat
9. Sticky
10. You Is Dead
11. Broken Butterflies
12. Godiva(CD Bonus Track)
You can find "The Naked Flame" on 00:02:59 Records, Amazon, and iTunes. You can find out more about Ivan Julian on his Official Website.