Blackwater James, 'Blackwater James' -- The Bring Back Glam! Album Review

Want some new music in your life? Try Nashville's own Blackwater James. The band released its self-titled debut April 10, 2009. As you would expect, the band has true southern-rock roots. In short, Blackwater James rocks.

The band self-produced the disc, making the entire project D.I.Y. But what about the songs? The tracklist:

All Fired Up
Midnight Train
Scandalize
Roses & Rain
Taste
Stand Up
Stone Cold
Sick Generation
Wake Me
Rock Steady
8 Letters Gone

I really like "Midnight Train." The guitar solo work is cool and the vocals by Christopher James really gel with the tune. James' voice is somewhere between Josh Todd of Buckcherry and Chad Cherry of The Last Vegas. Make no mistake, Blackwater James is a modern act, but there are throwback elements to the tunes. There's a breakdown in the middle of "Midnight Train" that reminds me of 1976ish Aerosmith. 

"Wake Me" is a ballad that sort of sounds like a completely different band. I mean this is a positive way - it's rare for bands today to create a diversified sound. "Wake Me" is very commercial - think Daughtry and you've got it.

Moving through the disc, "Roses & Rain" utilizes some country guitar elements before launching into a traditional rock assault. Guitarist Deanna Passarella has a lot of talent. I love that Blackwater James has a woman in such an important role!

Blackwater James is one of the strongest debut albums I've come across in a long time. You can buy the disc through Amazon, CD Baby and iTunes. Buy it - this album fits well within any Glam catalog.