Review | Anthony Gomes – Praise The Loud

Rat Pak Records

Canadian blues rock and roller Anthony Gomes returns with a brand-new recording, containing twelve rockers, ballads and foremostly good time bluesy tunes where he just scorches his guitar. The man made his first record for his current record company entitled ‘High Voltage Blues’ a few years ago. Rat Pak Records decided that a compilation with some earlier tunes plus a few fresh songs would be the best way to showcase the singer/guitarist, who has been around for years with at least two handful of records to his name.

EUROPEAN SHORES

The plan of Rat Pak Records seemed to have worked as it enabled Gomes to visit the European shores as well as touring around in the USA as a power trio. The popularity of Anthony Gomes has grown quite a bit indeed as the sales figures of his new record so far have been excellent. He is somebody to be reckoned with now and he proves on ‘Praise The Loud’ that he is the perfect blues rock and roller. His music is a combination of blues, heavy rock, a touch of southern rock and some soul as well.

But first and fore most it is about high energy level music with his razor-sharp guitar work as most important ingredient. If you are familiar with some of his older (‘Up 2 Zero’, ‘Blues In Technicolor’) and more recent material such as ‘Peace, Love And Loud Guitars’, and ‘Containment Blues’ you will have noticed and heard that Gomes has developed his own style and sound during his career.

MORE OF THE SAME

In principle Gomes delivers on ‘Praise The Loud’ more of the same. The record is a logical continuation of especially ‘Peace, Love & Loud Guitars’. It is not that Gomes is doing something new here. It is more of the same with the remark that Gomes has perfected his trade. Not only as a guitarist but also as a vocalist who can be rough and ready but also versatile whenever he needs to be. The set up of the record might not be surprising but with stomping blues rockers such as the opening title-track, closer ,,Blame It On Rock & Roll’’ and the song ,,Rock And Roll Bluesman’’ where he describes to a T what makes him musically tick. I guarantee you have a good time with his tunes and guitar acrobatics.

ANTHONY GOMES – THE CONCLUSION

You might say that by sticking to his roots Anthony Gomes plays it a bit on safe here. But his songwriting has certainly improved (co-writing a few tunes with the great Jim Peterik), the production is powerful and to the point. With only ,,Netflix & Chill’’ as a very mediocre track the level of the compositions is certainly above par. Add to that his scorching guitar work, his tongue-in-cheek lyrics plus his ballsy approach and as a blues rock adept you just cannot go wrong with ‘Praise The Loud’! Anthony Gomes is no longer flying under the radar in this business!

Release date: 25 April 2025