Music
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Artist: Human Project II
Title: Humanized
Website:
http://www.humanrocks.net
MySpace:
www.myspace.com/thehumanprojectband
Style: Blues/Rock
Rating: 9.4 out of 10
By Senior Writer C.W. Ross
Putting in long hours for no pay working on the site it's CD's like Humanized that makes it all worth it. This release is one of those rare gems that grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let go.
The Human in the Human Project is Loyd Vandergriff a singer songwriter from Visalia, California. Loyd was big into music playing in several rock bands during his high school years. He stopped though taking 30 years off until 5 years ago when he decided to pick his trusty Stratocaster back up.
His musical influences include, Elvin Bishop, Bob Seger, Wet Willie, The Rascals, ZZ Top, Delbert McClinton, Tommy Castro, Steve Earle, Moon Martin, and Marshall Crenshaw.
His first CD, The Real Stuff, was released in 2006. Humanized is his latest effort and it really shines brightly. What a loss for the music community it would have been if he hadn't gotten back into his music.
Joining the Human on this release is longtime friend, Dana Long, along with, John Dees, Tom Scott, Rocky Boosalis, Rudy Parris, Cole Fonseca, Gina Taylor, Dina P, and John King.
The music found on Humanized is a bluesy rock filled with great guitar work. The release grabs you right from the start with track-1, "Goin South," an island rock song filled with soaring keyboards, congas, and saxophone parts. The song talk about a magical journey that goes throughout the south ending up on famed Beal St. in Memphis, Tennessee listening to BB King play in his nightclub.
From there the southern rock and gritty blues join the party. Track-2, "Drive, Drive, Drive" is an up-tempo blues rocker filled with steady drumbeats. Track-3 "Bad Momma," is another up-tempo track that deals with drug and alcohol substance abuse set against a wailing saxophone.
Track-4, "Creepers," slows it down with its melodic blues flow that talks about dogs barking, a full moon, and not getting caught in the wrong part of town at night.
Track-5, "My V8 Ford" pumps it up with fast drumbeats. The song reminds me of a mix between the drum work found in the song "Wipe Out" meets Chuck Berry's song about his hot rod Lincoln.
Track-6, "High Anxiety," takes a trip down to the Deep South for some Mississippi Delta Blues filled with slide guitar, and harmonica. The song is about the way towns have expanded everywhere and how hard it is these days to just get away from the hustle and bustle to a peaceful place to relax.
Track-7, "Deep River," a medium rock song is about broken relationships. Track-8, "Taxman II," is one for the blue collar working man. It laments about the plight of the workingman being taxed to death by a government budget filled with pork barrel projects.
Track-9, "Modern Day Folksong," is about the mess the worlds in today with the terrorists looking to kill anyone that doesn't agree with them.
Track-10, "Goin Downtown," is an all out party rocker. It's all about heading to the bar putting on the jukebox and letting go and releasing all of the stress that's built up in you.
If you want to hear Loyd's music you'll have to get one of his CD's because he rarely performs live, which is a shame. His style of music really lends itself to a live show atmosphere and I'm sure that he would tear down the house.
Whether you like, southern rock, the blues, or just good music Humanized needs to be on your next shopping list!
Loyd dedicated this release to his deceased mother, Marie. I'm sure she's smiling down on him.
- Indiemusicstop.com
Discography
The Real Stuff. June 2006. Mark Kerr's Blues Nation and Kansas City on line radio regularly play cuts.
Human Project II, Humanized. Released on Feb. 19th, 2008. Songplanet.com., ilike2rock.com, kansas city on line radio, mark kerr's blues nation.
Photos
Bio
Loyd (The Human) Vandergriff is a singer- songwriter from Visalia, California. He is the heart and soul of the human project. When he gets ready to record, he gets some musican friends and heads into the studio under the name, "The Human Project." Loyd has released two CD's so far. "The Real Stuff," in June of 2006, and the new release, Human Project II, Humanized in February of 2008.
The Human's style and lyrics have attracted alot of attention. It tells stories people can easily relate to. Some are fun, some are deep and thought provoking. Most make you smile and pat yo feet. The music varies from rockin blues rock, to straight blues and on the new album there is even a folk rock tune. As more and more people become acquainted with The Human, they are calling his brand of music..."Human Rock."
Loyd played in several rock bands in high school. Seems they were playing somewhere every weekend. After high school, he did not play anymore for over 30 years! He was a high school teacher for 19 years before taking over his dad's cotton ginning business. In 2004, he got a Fender Strat and twin reverb amp and started writing. In June of 06, he released "The Real Stuff," this landed him a gig at Stanford University and some other gigs as well. Many songs from The Real Stuff receive extensive internet airplay. He has high hopes for his new release...Humanized which again contains 10 more Human penned songs. So, see what the fuss is all about. Check out one of his CD's and prepare to become.....Humanized.
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