Artist: The Informants
Title: Stiletto Angel
Writer: Rick Galusha
Denver based band, ‘The Informants’ are a sonically full-range band that puts the piano and horns right up front with vocalist Kerry Pastine for a rich mix of Louis Jordan meets Roomful of Blues fun-time blues that are irresistible, at times sexy and exceptionally well arranged. This is a recording of a band that took time to conceive an album as opposed to the regular collection of songs thrown together. When it comes to the history of recorded music these guys ‘get it’ and understand how to take a bit from the past, add a bit from the present and come up with something familiar yet fresh.
No doubt about it, this album wraps around the “sultry” and able vocals of Kerry Pastine.
On the title track singer Pastine uses full-throated approach that swings with a Chuck Berry sass against a pulsating band in high gear. Strategically placed pauses with a taste of Angelia Strehli vocal lines leads the band through a high gear tune of a woman clearly in control of the next sexual conquest who, “just hasn’t gone wrong” yet.
‘Tears of a Heartache’ is a slow burning track that sounds like something Otis Redding would have sung. Rather than punching through the next break the bands, stops, holds and waits for the next chorus to present itself in with a simmering broken hearted line.
The Informants have a rich mix of soulful guitar, lulling horns and a fine, fine vocalist. This is not a record that slips easily into a genre other than to say that roots music fans will readily embrace this album and those that got into the ‘jump blues’ craze of the late 90’s will readily appreciate this well made record.
‘Let’s Roll’ is your thumping blues ala’ Exene meets John Doe (‘X’) in a rich duet that is crafted to add something special to the genre. It is easy to see The Informants performing this track at next year’s ‘Keeping the Blues Alive’ presentation. A terrific album that stands up repeated listening in the car or on the home stereo.
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