Mad Painter – “Island Poetry”

Mad Painter brings a heavy, energetic sound across “Island Poetry” that takes you straight to classic 1970s British rock. Led by Alex Gitlin, this Boston group places the Hammond organ right in front throughout the twelve songs on this album. Drummer Al Hendry, bassist Kenne Highland, and guitarist Al Naha create a driving groove, while Sharon Crumrine and Julie Gee add rich vocal harmonies. Everything sounds like a group of skilled musicians playing together in a real room without relying on modern trickery.

Looking at the artwork uploaded for this release, the visual fits the music perfectly. The cover shows the group as dark shapes standing on a rocky island. A giant glowing yellow moon sits right behind them. Deep blue water surrounds the land, and big vintage letters sit at the top. It looks classic and big, setting a cool mood before the first track starts playing.

The music feels very natural from start to finish. There is a real analog warmth to the recording that lets the true energy shine through. Heavy influences show up across the whole record. Tracks like “Debt Collector” and “Suit of Worries” bring a roaring style, while “Empty Bottles” moves with a fun boogie drive. “Spin Your Ventilator” rocks with pure force, and “Shadow of the Words” brings a big theatrical feel. Songs like “Two Horsemen” feature twin guitar lines, while “Stand Your Ground” hits with fast speed. Words written by Dmitry M. Epstein add clever ideas and story details to six of the tracks. The band gives everything to every moment, making this full record a blast to play from top to bottom.

If you enjoyed “Island Poetry”, check out Mad Painter’s previous releases like “Splashed” to hear more of their great music. Make sure to follow Mad Painter on social media and streaming platforms to stay updated on new releases for the rest of this year.