Richie Kotzen
Return of the Mother Head’s Family Reunion

November 2007
Released: 2007, Frontiers Records/Zink Music
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: Anders Sandvall

It seems like Kotzen always are involved in some kind of project or band. The last album that he participated in was Marco Mendoza’s solo debut. His last solo album came out not too long ago and now it’s time to unveil another Kotzen album. As usual I’m not really sure what to expect from an album by Kotzen, he’s a man of many disguises and music styles. This album is all about 70’s retro hardrock with soul and blues influences. It’s nicely executed and delivered with an enormous feeling and soul.



Kotzen’s voice has really grown through each album and he’s now a full-blown lead singer with versatility in his voice that not many others have. Add to that his greatness on guitar and you’ve got a true artist. I think Kotzen does his best work when collaborating with other bands or artists; this album is no exception.



There are 12 tracks featured along with one European bonus track: a demo of “Drift”. The album clocks in at about one hour which feels perfect. The material is great and well-written and there are actually not many dull moments. Well, to be honest there are a few ballads that are quite slow and plain.



Because it’s easier to mention the songs that don’t really make the cut I’ll go over those instead of the many, many greater ones. “Faith” is a really slow ballad where nothing much happens actually, it moves on in the same tempo the whole way; “Chase It” is an up-tempo ballad; and “Can You Feel It” is a blues rock anthem where the focus is set on the blues parts. The bonus track “Drift” is poor and the 70’s retro rock feels strained just like Kotzen’s voice. If they had excluded those songs the album would have been a jackpot, but at the end of the day there are much greater songs than bad ones so I consider the album to be a great catch. Kotzen has really grown as a singer and if you’re into this man in the slightest I can promise you that you won’t be disappointed by this album.

Killer tracks are “Go Faster”, “You Know That”, “Fooled Again”, “Bad Things”, “Do It To Yourself”, “You’re Crazy” and “Feed My Head”.



http://www.zinkmusic.com