The Imperial

Aiming for a hybrid of classic rock swagger and 90’s alternative punchiness, Milwaukee-based The Imperial open their self-titled EP in such fashion. “The Finish Line”, with big guitar vibratos and crashing drums under singer/guitarist Andrew Kobelinski, moves past simple riff rock with a dedication to dynamics and desire- to sound big, to rock hard, and so forth.

One hat trick Hendrix perfected is the ability to rock hard while sounding happy, and “Miranda” bounces between the joyful intro riff and a chunky secondary feel. Guitarist Louie Pahl has surely studied staples like “Mississippi Queen”, as his single notes and chords intertwine without losing steam. Of the four tunes on the platter, “Miranda” has the best jamming in the middle section, indicating that this may be the winner live as well.

“Professor Downtown”, a post-Spin Doctors lyrical wink at “Kid Charlemagne,” brings the volume down, but by verse two is chugging along at the same rate we have grown accustomed to. Solid guitar by Pahl again, but, likewise, some of the mystery is running thin.

Ending on a high note, “Where Did You Go” ratchets the tempo and intensity up a bit, and the change is welcome. Chris Baldoni on drums and bassist Josh Capistrant provide a certain, charmed garage funk, and Kobelinski’s lyrics have a touch of fire, but the song ends just as the listener is waiting for them to explode into somewhere new.

The best kind of recording either makes a statement, or sets a mood, and The Imperial gets a foot pointed in both directions without fully stepping towards either. On one hand, we get a taste of a band that could grow into having some windows, if not doors, opened for them. They are certainly on the radar.

That said, the album is challenging, being, for lack of a better phrase, a taste of a taste of what it could have been. There are nice moments by all four players, but there is a need for polishing to ease up on some of the repetition and simplicity. The lyrics bear the brunt of this; the stories and characters are present, but the impression is absent. Spending most of the disc in power trio mode, both Baldoni and Capistrant have a fundamental appreciation for “tight but loose”, but don’t fill the emptiness at certain key moments. Overall, a solid first volley from a band worth watching, and a disc worth your first spin. - Jambands.com

"The combination of classic rock and blues gives four-man band the Imperial an unmistakably soulful sound. Thanks to their first-place finish in May at the Up & Under Pub's Break Into the Big Gig Battle of the Bands, the members of the Imperial are looking forward to their prize: a performance slot at Summerfest at noon July 3 at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard. With the recent release of its self-titled EP, the band hopes to make this a summer to remember." - - Geraud Blanks, Special to the Journal Sentinel

An overall rating of 3.00 stars means this release is on par with most of the music we receive. We think you are well on your way.
Some elements here could be stronger, but this release is solid and rises above a lot of what's out there. Keep up the good work. It is paying off and you are headed in the right direction.
We thought your track had rousing energy that moved us as listeners. You sound confident in your musical skills and the parts
you're playing.
Above almost everything else, melody is an essential musical quality. Yours jumped out at us. Good melodies don't come easy;
you should be proud.
Having a good arrangement, with the right instrumentation, helps give listeners a better sense of what's happening melodically and
harmonically. Your arrangements were just right. Nice job.

- Hello Music

“Sometimes I feel like I’m on fire / Sometimes I feel cold as a stone / Sometimes I think I got the world on a wire / But then I wake up in this house all alone,” sings The Imperial.

Any good blues song is built on passion and pain. Life isn’t all sunshine, love isn’t all roses, and the truth isn’t all easy. Sorry folks, that’s just how it goes. People who understand that best become blues’ musicians. The rest make pop music.

The Imperial are bluesmen, instilled with a life and pulse often void in local acts. The songs are clean, the guitar straight-addictive and the voice honest and strong enough to carry the band far beyond their Milwaukee home. There is strength. There is focus. There is talent.

Lead singer Andy Kobelinski has managed to avoid the temptation of sounding like every other singer on the market. His sound is truly unique and his lyrics echo with clarity and depth. Guitarist Louie Pahl lays down smooth blues riffs that make everyone within earshot feel the passion and move to the melody.

Bassist Josh Capistrant and drummer Chris Baldoni round out the group with a combination of thick, addictive rhythms and beats that form the backbone of The Imperial’s sound. There is no weakest link. Everything works.

Formed in 2009, the group has already played multiple shows around town, in Madison and in Chicago. Their recent demo CD features four songs that serve as a perfect introduction into the band’s sound. Claiming influences ranging from Buddy Guy to Stevie Ray Vaughn, from Cream to Led Zeppelin, it is clear the band is seeking blues purity.

“Miranda” is perhaps the catchiest song on the demo, garnering radio play on 91.7 WMSE with an upbeat melody and lyrical hook that are both familiar and refreshing. This song begs to be played at a blues festival in the middle of summer.

The toned-down “Professor Downtown” pulls listeners in with a relaxed, rhythmic guitar line before the chorus kicks in with a heavy dose of drums and energy that match the darker, drug-pusher imagery of the song.

The only downside to the disc is that four songs cannot possibly do justice to the band’s potential and talent. Seeing the band live is the only way to see what they are capable of. This is a taste and a tease; the stage show is the real deal.

The Imperial can be found on Facebook and their website accessed from there. For the real deal, check the band out at The Elbo Room in Chicago on Dec. 19.
- The UWM Post