Sinnerstar

CD - Craving Aches And Bitter Lemon Hearts

Play 90 second soundbite of 'Love Tonight' @ 'CD quality'

Sinnerstar appears to be the latest project in a long line of projects by Gloucester born, Koozie Johns. After years of touring playing bass with various bands and spending time in Japan, Koozie has now all but handed in his bass, taken up the six string variety and thrown himself competently into the leading role.

Everything I've tried to find out about Koozie tells of his Bowie-esque vocals. And, there's no doubt about it there's a definite early DB feel there. Coupled with the guitar driven songs this work begs to be replayed - a more than competent effort which I'll be playing many times over the next few days I'm sure.

Craving Aches And Bitter Lemon Hearts is a good mix of hard rockin' numbers like the opener, 'Love Tonight', the slower but still raunchy, 'Chemicals Dominate' and the clever 'Heal My Brain' with its partially spoken vocal. The latter particularly appeals to me and even on first hearing cries out 'quality' - well worked, great arrangement, tidy voice and soaring guitar.

'My Life' continues in the slower, moody style - Koozie obviously feels this one! It's another well put together number with great vocals, superbly punctuating guitar and a great little acoustic break - a beauty this one!! 'Sweet Oblivion' then kicks in with its rather staccato phrasing - a little retro feel here, a feel that continues into 'Slow Down' which is driven by non-stop guitars. 'Porn Affliction' leaps right out of the speakers with its intro of then settles into a typically non-stop rocker with its heavy guitar riffs.

'Velvet Eyes' brings the mood back down and lets you relax a little as it cleverly lulls you into a false sense of calm before the electric riffs drift in to remind you what rock music is all about - another clever number this - it's got everything (including a rather eerie Mick Ronson-esque guitar solo to further compound the Bowie comparisons!) For me, 'Pearl In Paradise' is probably the weakest number on offer here. It sounds just a little too cliched vocally and a little too predictable - but it's still well worked and has some great drumming. The final track, 'End Of The Line' takes you home with another raunchy offering. Throbbing riffs and repetitive rhythms get the feet moving and prepared to walk over and press the play button - again!

Craving Aches And Bitter Lemon Hearts by Sinnerstar is released on Sinnersville Records and if you get out and buy it you'll find that along with Koozie Johns (vocals, guitar and bass) you'll hear Kien Lim (guitar), Steve Westcott (bass) and Simon Hanson and Rob Reich (drums). All in all, a great rock album that deserves to do well.

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