18 April 2014

Wizz Acoustic – Rock Lives On EP

Louise Swift 18 April 2014 Album Reviews

Rock Lives On

album by:: Wizz Acoustic

Version:

Price:

£4.14

Reviewed by: Louise Swift

Rating:: 4

On 18 April 2014

Last modified:7 November 2020

Summary:

A lovely mellow acoustic album which you would listen to when you want to chill out and relax.

More Details

Wizz Wizzard, frontman of the band of the same name has had an interesting career starting out as a radio DJ at the tender age of 12. Wizz was one of Flanders best known Pirate DJs in the early 80’s. He then went on to front bands Sunrise (garage rock), Final Touch (a symphonic rock band), Lipstick Traces and Sixpack (rock covers) and he also tried his hand at playing bass in a Stevie Ray Vaughn tribute band before starting the band Wizz Wizzard.

The acoustic EP came about when Mark Appleton of Rocksector records asked Wizz to play an acoustic set at SOS Festival. Since then Wizz has performed many acoustic shows each year with more planned for the future. All the vocals are performed by Wizz with Chris Appleton, vocalist and guitarist from Absolva also playing guitars. The songs are all written by Wizz and are reworked Wizz Wizzard songs. The EP was recorded in Aalter, Belgium in January 2014 and released via Rocksector Records on 3rd May 2014.

On first listen to the EP I thought of Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Jethro Tull and I sensed an almost medieval feel to the songs with the guitars sounding harp like in places. The Wolf reminded me a bit of The Kinks say Lola. The video to the title track Rock Lives On can be seen on YouTube, link below. The guitars on this were really mellow and I thought that this is what a gentle waterfall might sound like, translated into a song.

Trouble Time had a flamenco start which is popular with bands such as Volbeat and The Gypsy Pistoleros. On the Edge of Desire reminded me of Hotel California by The Eagles and Desire by Gene Loves Jezebel although that could have been just because of the word ‘desire’ again a nice gentle song. The highlight track for me has to be the title track Rock Lives On. This isn’t an album that you would put on and expect to be blown away by and dance manically round your handbag. It is however, a beautiful, mellow album which you would listen to when you want to chill out and relax. NOTE: Wizz suffered a major heart attack earlier this week and is currently in hospital, but luckily in a stable condition. We at Planetmosh wish Wizz a speedy recovery. Get well soon Wizz!

Track List: –