Review | Gary Hoey – Avalanche

Wazoo Music Group / Independent release

American guitarist/singer Gary Hoey has been around for quite some time now. With his new record ‘Avalanche’ he has delivered his 23th album, although the last six years it was quiet around him. Starting out as a hard rock guitarist delivering a string of instrumental albums as well, one of his best efforts was his 1992 album with the band Heavy Bones. Around 2012-2013 he changed his style into blues rock. He even signed for the Dutch label Provogue recording for them ‘Dust And Bones’ (2016) and ‘Neon Highway Blues’ (2019). On ‘Neon Highway Blues’ you could hear a shift again. The album was half blues and half heavy rock, including three instrumental tracks. On his latest album ‘Avalanche’, that was mixed by the famous producer Max Norman it becomes clear that Gary has gone back to his rock roots.

OWN LABEL

‘Avalanche’ has been released on Gary’s own label Wazoo Music Group. The reason behind that is a mystery to me. Maybe record companies were not standing in line for this very talented musician. Or maybe he felt that it was better for him to call all the shots himself. Anyway, the level that Gary Hoey reaches on ‘Avalanche’ is okay. His qualities as guitarist are still outstanding, as a singer I find him sounding a bit mediocre at times. He renewed his cooperation with Lita Ford on the track ,,You Know I Would’’, where Lita takes over the singing. In good Gary Hoey-tradition there is also an instrumental song to be found on ‘Avalanche’ (closer ,,Summer’s Here’’, that is upbeat and groovy).

GARY HOEY – THE CONCLUSION

‘Avalanche’ is a varied record. There is room for robust riffing on the hard rock anthems ,,Break Free’’, ,,Unstoppable’’ and ,,Avalanche’’. There are laid back and slightly sentimental songs in the form of ,,Cold’’ (a very decent ballad) and ,,Dear Mama’’ (an ode from the musician to his mother). ,,Maine To Mississippi’’ is slightly bluesy and would have fitted on one of his last two albums while ,,Angels & Devils’’, ,,Break Free’’ and ,,Let’s Go’’ are middle of the road classic rockers. That variation is more a less a trademark of Gary Hoey. That has been so on his older records and is also the case on ‘Avalanche’.

To describe this release as a record that is a pure necessity would not stroke with the truth. But the fact is that Gary Hoey as an all-round musician does more than enough on this album to at least advise you to have a listen. His guitar work is outstanding, his singing reasonable, the overall sound is good, so, it has not been a bad experience. If you want to find out more check out the video for the song ,,Avalanche’’ on the net. As this is an independent release check out his website for purchase information.