'Hale Souls' - Gretchen Menn

Photo by: Eric Shamlin. Design by: Max Crace

Track Listing:
1. Scrap Metal
2. Oleo Strut
3. Déjà Vu
4. Valentino's Victory Lap
5. Fast Crowd
6. Is It Not Strange
7. Captured Barricade
8. Walking Shadow
9. Struck Sleepless
10. Fading
all songs by Gretchen Menn
©2011 Mach Zero Music

Gretchen Menn: Guitars
Stuart Hamm: Bass
John Mader: Drums
Emily Palen: Violin (tracks 8-10)
Angeline Saris: Bass (track 1)
Jude Gold: 2nd Guitar (track 5)
Kirsten Menn: Vocal (track 10)

Produced by: Gretchen Menn/Jude Gold

---

At first listen you may think it's just an incredibly well written, performed and produced instrumental album. But a more careful listen and there really is something that grabs hold of your soul and won't let go. It's not one of those guitar albums that hit you like a ton of bricks, but more like an album telling a story from the first heavy rock chords of the opening track to the haunting strings and vocal in the album's closer.

The album is not just rock and roll heavy guitar licks. But a great collection of diverse instrumentals that take the listener on many different rides.

The album starts off with two strong rock and roll tracks.

'Scrap Metal' and 'Oleo Strut' give the listener a little taste of what Gretchen can do with a guitar. 'Scrap Metal' also features fellow Zepparella bandmate Angeline Saris on bass.

At first, 'Deja Vu' teases the listener, making them believe they will catch their breath with a slowed down track. But then just a little over a minute into the song, it picks up and begins to speed up the ride.

The hypnotic opening riff of 'Valentino's Victory Lap' keeps the listener till the very end.

Mid way through the album, we have the wonderful addition of Jude Gold's guitar in 'Fast Crowd'. Jude who previously played with Gretchen in the band Lapdance Armageddon, meshes with Gretchen's playing and has the listener tapping their feet throughout the whole song. Once again, a track that shows Gretchen's diversity when it comes to composing music and performing.

'Is It Not Strange' is not strange at all. The song allows the listener a bit of a break, almost melancholy-like before introducing the listener to the next part of the ride.

'Captured Barricade', the latest song to be released as a video, definitely captures the listener, makes them hold on and enjoy the ride.

While this is Gretchen's solo album, she allows the talented Emily Palen to shine on her own, in the violin solo track 'Walking Shadow'. Emily's playing keeps the listener mesmerized throughout the next two songs.

The album's closer, 'Fading', pairs Emily's violin with Kirsten Menn's beautiful soprano voice. Resulting in, as I mentioned before, a haunting, yet beautiful track..perfect way to finish off Gretchen's first, but not the last, solo album.

The riffs, the chords, the notes all blend perfectly. There was something magical that emanated from the speakers to this listener. It was apparent, while listening to the album who Gretchen's influences are. The songs flowed perfectly, all while each having their own identity and genre. We also need to mention the outstanding rhythm section of  Stuart Hamm on bass and John Mader on drums. They truly do compliment Gretchen's guitar playing.

'Hale Souls' combines bits and pieces of classical, acoustic, rock and even baroque styles. She's not trying to be the fastest guitar player, not trying to copy what other guitarists do. What she is doing, is playing with heart, soul and passion. She's doing it her way.

I highly recommend this album to anyone who wants to enjoy a great rock and roll ride with additional surprises along the way.
~.:.~

For more information on Gretchen, her releases, tour dates etc, be sure to check out her official website: gretchenmenn.com

Check out Gretchen's Youtube channel:
Gretchen Menn - Youtube

For more information on Zepparella, including tour dates, media, etc, check out their official website: zepparella.com

For information on Gretchen's sister, Kirsten Menn, be sure to check out her official website: 
kirstenmenn.com

To check out more work by some of the photographers who have allowed their photos to be included. 

Max Crace: Official Website
Will Bucquoy: Official Facebook Page
Peter Jensen: Official Website
Mark Manion: Official Website


Original Post Here