TestAdam Karch
Guitar-ripper Karch gets big sound from his band, his notable blues mentor/producer Walter Rossi, and certainly his Strat. He sounds a bit like a Colin James or Brian Setzer (Both Happy) in voice and, considering the horns, large band. The arrangements, like in the sumptuous In Blue, betray that a lot of talents had hands in this. Karch co-penned all the songs (mostly with James Stadnyk) and the grooves are showy blues/rock: ballads like Just About Broken or Goodbye blend with drivers like We Ain't Going Home Tonight or the top cut The Flame. With this kind of production and backing, big wonder if Karch isn't opening soon for name acts or, who knows, maybe they'll be opening for him. (Dean Cottrill)