Katy Guillen & The Drive Make That Sound
Not quite Americana in a traditional sense, but it has a rootsy, edgier, earthy brand with crisp drums & determined vocals that dominate “Outcome.” The music is aggressive at times, but does display a reliable rock ‘n’ roll grip. The artist wishes her music to be a celebration of self-empowerment, liberation, vulnerability, honesty & love — but isn’t that what true R&R has always been for whoever took to the stage? From Leslie Gore, the Shangri-Las to Tina Turner?
It seems that’s the credo & aim as produced by Megan McCormick (bass/guitar/lap steel/bgv) & recorded in Nashville with grinding guitars. It possesses a viable proportion of rock’s influences with gutsiness & wonderful voices that blend strongly to make the music attractive regardless of the process. The 10 expansive, well-conceived stabs Make That Sound (Dropped Oct. 17/Are & Be Recordings/37:04) & succeed.
Even the slower tunes like “Feel Good” have a prickly wool feel woven in cotton to make it soft & durable. The vocalizations are always on point & well arranged. Their sound is captivating with good performances throughout, though some are fairly basic & not challenging. Typical of indie roots rock of many stripes. Some tunes have a garage rock charm & others are far more polished. But the sound is never thin, though it’s not innovative. It follows a reliable, energetic path. Nothing is bombastic or elementary. It’s played tightly & with vigor.
What’s objectionable are the vocal treatments that are actually not necessary unless it’s believed that the vocals aren’t projecting efficiently & require the added “sound enhancement” (embellishment) to carry the message. But Katy’s voice is rock & roll good. It should remain uh…organic. Pure. To exemplify the very celebration of self-empowerment, liberation, vulnerability, honesty & love – through the human rock voice & not effects.
Kansas City, Missouri’s Katy Guillen (vocals/guitar/keys) has a frenetic quality & she keeps it in check throughout her set. She could be a credible chanteuse or a hip-grinding blues singer. Some tunes are tender (“Staying Awake”) & well-written & performed despite their dangerous cruising along the sugary pop-rock median. Kathy wisely doesn’t cross over.
The excellent “Take a Break” is a slow burner & Katy’s finest vocal. Effective, accurate & telling. A lovely melody with instinctive gentleness. No drama – just feeling. The instrumentation brings it to the expected coda, rather than a showboating vocal. Nice decision.
Criticism? The CD package is a handsome laminated 4-panel, but the inside front cover credits are in tiny red on a yellow background. Not printed well. The printer should’ve spread the type so it could be readable. Other panels are beautiful.
Highlights – “Outcome,” “Feel Good,” “Staying Awake,” “Take a Break,” & “Make That Sound.”
Musicians – Stephanie Williams (drums/percussion), Erin Manning (synth), & Brandon Bell (add’l programming).
Color image courtesy of Lava Dreams. CD @ Bandcamp & https://katyguillenmusic.com/
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Katy Guillen & The Drive “Another One Gained”
