Review: Rich Hope — ‘I’m All Yours’
Vancouver, BC’s veteran blues-rocker Rich Hope just released his fourth album I’m All Yours, in October of 2018, his first full-length release since 2009. The new album was recorded at Vancouver’s Little Red Sounds studio with producer Felix Fung. The 10 new tracks are a throwback collection of gritty, high energy R&B-flavored 70’s garage rock with a touch of blues that would have made this album massive in the early seventies and had us rechecking the date of release more than once. I’m All Yours finds Hope and his longtime band bassist Erik Nielsen, keyboardist Matt Kelly, and drummer Adrian Mack paying tribute to heroes T. Rex, New York Dolls and David Bowie.
The opening track “It Come Alive,” is a spinning psychedelic reverb-soaked romp that slides right into the Brit pop inspired “Golden Clouds,” that features rocking guitars and sweet harmonies. The heavily effected “Creepstone,” is a spooky bit of Northern soul rave-up. The tempo slows way down but the volume remains at eleven for the deep blue flame out sludge rocker “La Iguana,” then shifts back up for the charming bit of country rock “Blow Away,” featuring a tasty horn section and just enough twang to induce us to hoist a cold one. The splendid organ from Kelly highlights the groovy “5 Cents A Dance” which is eerily reminiscent of the unmistakable “96 Tears” from Question Mark and the Mysterians. An infectious bass riff kicks off the radio ready “Some Kind Of Love,” with Hope doing his best Eric Burdon, along with a hot sax solo from Jerry Cook, making this the album’s strongest track. Hope takes a side trip to the delta for the low-down “Paranoia Blues,” before the party ramps up for the woolly-bully style garage rocker “Running Shoes,” then get his Stones on for the album closer “Heartbreaker,” for a swirling finale.
(Check out ‘I’m All Yours’ below via Bandcamp and get more info about Rich Hope on Facebook HERE.)