If you like your music straight down the middle of the road, no shocks, surprises, twists and turns just good ol’ country/blues rock 'n roll then this album is for you. Rob Vazey has put together an impressive collection of musicians for this debut album which was recorded at Studio 38 in Auckland.

You can tell it is a labour of love with the core of the ensemble being a five-piece with up to 10 or more musicians involved. The aim seems to have been to put together a collection of songs that will appeal to people who like performers like Jimmy Barnes, Fleetwood Mac or The Eagles. If that is you, then you won’t be disappointed.

The songs are a mixture of country rock, blues, rock and ballads. The immediate stand out is Ant’s vocals. Midge Marsden (who is also a contributor) apparently said that if Ant sang a phone book people would still listen. The devil is in the detail and it is clear the details have been focused on during the creation of these songs.

Ant and all the other musicians are flawless on this album and his vocals are the perfect accompaniment to the music. There is a warmth and depth to his vocal and he knows when less equals more. The backing and support vocals are also perfectly matched as is the production.

This collection of songs will stand up well against any of the music created by the artists whose influences run strong throughout. I could throw around words like musicianship or craftsmanship, but how does The Vazey Collective actually make me feel?

I will be honest; this isn’t the kind of music I usually listen to.

I read The Vazey Collective website where it says, "Music for all ages", but I have to disagree.

This is music my dad would listen to (and I am 50), but and it is a big BUT, after a few runs through and cranking the volume to ear bleeding levels it was growing on me.

Like I said before if this IS your kind of music you are going to be blown away.

This album could be cranking at BBQ’s or on cassette players in vintage cars heading for the Beach Hop all over NZ this summer.

Digging a little deeper I started to appreciate the layers and textures in the songs. There are elements of experimentation which stand out in songs such as Home, which is a brooding anti-war song complete with spoken word samples. The sing along chorus is never too far away though nor the understated but perfectly matched guitar solos. This is the kind of track Axl Rose pushed for on latter Guns ‘n Roses albums.

My favourite tracks tend to be the higher energy rockers like Home and there is enough variation on here to keep people interested and playing this album repeatedly.

The full range of emotions are all addressed via slow burning ballads and other tracks that will have people spinning around the campfires. Quirky bluesy number The Stranger will also appeal although I did find the lyrics a little cliched.

To be honest, this album is exactly what you would expect. The Vazey Collective clearly set themselves high standards and worked hard to produce an album they would be happy with and for that this collection of songs cannot be faulted.

I am not sure if there are plans to tour but they really should. If this is your kind of music you need to get a copy as soon as possible and crank it all summer long

• 1
  Head Like A Hole
• 2
  Horror Story
• 3
  Fraser Ross
• 4
  Fur Patrol
• 5
  Michelle Rounds
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  The Boondocks
• 8
  Late to Chelsea
• 9
  Springloader
• 10
  Baconfoot

• 
  Nadia Reid @ Loons, Lyttelton - 16/11/2024
• 
  Pull Down The Sun @ Franks Bar, Whanganui - 15/11/2024
• 
  Elidi @ Franks Bar, Whanganui - 15/11/2024
• 
  Infinity Ritual @ Franks Bar, Whanganui - 15/11/2024

• 1
  APT.
  ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
• 2
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
  Gracie Abrams
• 6
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 7
  SAILOR SONG
  Gigi Perez
• 8
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 9
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 10
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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