California Breed (Deluxe Version)

Featuring drummer Jason Bonham and vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes, who worked together in the short-lived Black Country Communion, plus 23-year-old newbie guitarist/singer/songwriter Andrew Watt, California Breed play the kind of riff-heavy, vocal-wailing hard rock that excites the readers and writers of guitar magazines the world over. Produced by Dave Cobb (Jamey Johnson, Shooter Jennings) at his Nashville studio, California Breed earns comparisons to the classic hard rock bands of the ‘70s and modern-era groups like Audioslave thanks to Bonham’s powerful drumming and Hughes’ unrestrained wailings, which declare true authority. Watt’s riffage moves in a number of serious hard rock directions, bringing in a merciless attack for “The Way” and “Chemical Rain” on the openers and working subtler and catchier for “Sweet Tea,” a track obviously meant as the album’s single. “Midnight Oil” climaxes with serious solo work from Watt and Bonham. “All Falls Down” dares to be a power ballad. “The Grey” and “Spit You Out” take turns at glam-styled rock. The deluxe version adds the bonus track “Solo.”