WILD AMERICA – OLD SCHOOL COOL – ALBUM REVIEW

Ct’s own, Wild America are on a mission. Their goal is to bring back fun loving rock and roll with the release of their new album, Old School Cool, via Kivel Records. Wild America‘s debut release was the powerful Gasoline (2018 – Kivel Records) which AMP reviewed in 2020. The band is comprised of four outstanding musicians. Joe Labbadia (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Billy DiNapoli (Guitar/Vocals), Steve Wovkanech (Bass/Vocals) and Arnie Cuozzo (Drums) all deliver dynamic musicianship and artistic dexterity throughout their sophomore endeavor.

Old School Cool emits a captivating swagger. Wild America fashion 11 rapacious songs that flourish with excitement and addicative rhythms. Right from the start, the band hits you with driving guitar licks and spectacular vocals. On “Are You Ready”, Labbadia’s voice is crisp and full of impressive nuances. DiNapoli’s guitar produces fiery riffs and Wovkanech’s bass lays down a monstrous bass line. Cuozzo’s drums are aggressively vibrant. “Are You Ready” is a total banger.

“Love ‘Em And I’m Gone” continues the sonic bombardment. DiNapoli’s guitar solo is ferocious. Again, Cuozzo’s percussions powers through. In “She’s A Good Woman” the band adds a little funky spice. Wovkanech’s bass is brazen with silvery flourishes. By now, the listener is starting to get high on the glowing music that Wild America is letting loose. “I Don’t Need Your Love” follows and the song carries a bold cadence with propulsive vocals. Everyone is firing on all cylinders.

“Name” contains sublime arrangements and exalted vocals. The harmonies are punchy and full of life. DiNapoli’s guitar squeals with an edgy resonance. Also, Labbadia’s voice has an intrepid character. Wild America‘s songs always have that gargantuan quality. “Sometimes Love” slows the beat down. The ballad showcases the band’s excellent musicianship and strong songwriting. Wild America fills the song with exotic textures and lush essences. The band brings back the heat with “Trouble”. The song is a tribute to the bad boy in all of us. Labbadia wails:

Out with the boys for the evening

Playing cards since a quarter til ten

Coming home with the daylight

I’m in deep, well this could be the end

“Higher” is an avid mid-rocker that’s perfect for the arena tour. It packs an infectious groove and animated reaches.The firm beat layers blazing coils of elation. In addition, Wild America‘s harmonies are utterly on point. “The Outside” has an emboldened accent. The melodic tempo accompanied with the pulverizing guitar depth gives the tune a fervent impact. The cell phone lights definitely pop on during “Stronger”. The tune featuring guest vocalist Roy Cathey is superb. “Stronger is an ode to the resiliency of the human spirit especially during Covid. You can feel the passion in Labbadia and Cathey’s voices. This one is emotional.

It doesn’t matter what you do

It doesn’t matter who you are

But in the end we’ll all be

Stronger than ever before

The album ends with “Until We Meet Again”. A perfect finish to a blatantly adventurous project. Wild America have crafted an impressive full length with hints of the past and visions of the future.

Old School Cool was produced by John Kivel and engineered by Andrew Kadin at Kadin Music Productions in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Additional musicians were Andrew Kadin (Keyboards) John Gallicano (Backing Vocals/Guitar) and Dinash Pherathu (Percussion on Stronger).

Catch Wild America as they continue their whirlwind summer tour to experience “Old School Cool”.

To learn more about Wild America Check out the Website

Follow Wild America:  Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube
Stream their music:  Spotify / Soundcloud / Apple Music

 

 

 

 

 

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