ZapTown

[Article by Karen Shaver.]

Reno Bo
Happiness And Other Things
Electric Western
Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Link: http://renobo.bandcamp.com

Formally of the Mooney Suzuki, Reno Bo is creating a buzz with his solo debut titled, Happenings And Other Things. This CD is like a musical variety show, concentrating on different eras of musical styles. For instance, the opening track, “There is A Light,” is a ballad with the substance to engage any classic rock fan. The second track, “Higher Tonight”, is definitely the shiner. “Off Your Back” shows some great potential with a passionate guitar solo and piano track pleasantly laid down, as does the next track (“Shine”).

It’s unfortunate that a CD with such a strong opening would end with monotonous 3 chord guitar riffs and accommodating drum beats, as the rest of the CD fails to progress. “Baby Your Not Feeling Me,” opens with a sweet harmony provided by a harmonica and is sure to act as the ultimate break-up song, or perhaps a tune one can learn in a beginner’s guitar lesson. The simplistic riffs played on an acoustic guitar blended with scratchy vocals that has a Dylan feel, is sure to grow on any folk fan.

The vocals on “Sugar Suite Blues”  are not as sharp as the mid-song guitar solo. “You Don’t Know” falls into the ’70s bubble gum pop realm. The 10th track, “Here Right Now”, sounds like something you’d hear during the opening credits of an ’80s sitcom.

It is apparent that Reno Bo’s musical influences are worn on his sleeve. There is definitely talent here although some of the songs have a rushed feeling to them, which brings one to believe that perhaps Mr. Reno was rushed in the studio or hadn’t enough time to complete this project. It would be beneficial to spend some more time in the studio  to match the talent here. Perhaps that is not the sound producers were going for.