By: Victor Van Ommen
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 20/03/2016
Label: Small Stone Records
Retro-rock might be a misnomer but La Chinga does serve up that saucy 70s hard rock vibe. Each song makes a steadfast bolt to the chorus by way of Aerosmith swagger and Van Halen riffing, without neglecting the importance of a bad ass guitar solo. High-sung backing vocals abound, contributing a feeling of unity to the record and those listening to it. At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter which song is cherry picked from the track list, each one is a party and luckily we’re all invited for the ride.
Freewheelin' CD//DD//LP track listing
1. Gone Gypsy
2. Mother Of All Snakeheads
3. White Witchy Black Magic
4. Stoned Greased White Lightnin'
5. Faded Angel
6. Mountain Momma
7. War Cry
8. K.I.W.
9. Right On
10. Dawn Of Man
La Chinga is:
Carl Spackler | lead vocals, bass guitar
Ben Yardley | guitar, mandolin, theremin, backing & lead vocals
Jay Solyom | drums, percussion, backing vocals
The Review:
Some parties are unforgettable. Take the time Jimmy Page rode a motorcycle through a hotel’s hallways, for example. That will always be remembered. And I’m sure there are plenty of ladies out there who have stories of joining Sammy Hagar in sex tents underneath the stage while Alex pounded out a drum solo up above. One day – and maybe it’s already happened – there will be such stories circling above the La Chinga camp. I say this because La Chinga’s classic-rocking, home-run debut “Freewhelin,’” harkens back to the days of yore when a band would roll into town and bring a party with them.
Retro-rock might be a misnomer but La Chinga does serve up that saucy 70s hard rock vibe. Each song makes a steadfast bolt to the chorus by way of Aerosmith swagger and Van Halen riffing, without neglecting the importance of a bad ass guitar solo. High-sung backing vocals abound, contributing a feeling of unity to the record and those listening to it. Whether the backing singers are encouraging the “freewheelers to keep moving” or celebrating the fact that “they’re going nowhere in the fast lane,” the sense of togetherness is hard to ignore. There are no synths or Hammonds
They’re coming over to Europe for a tour in the spring and I wouldn’t be surprised if they get up to no good and leave some unforgettable parties in their wake. So you better get in on that.
