Girl with a Hawk formed after the global pandemic and release their debut album `Regenesis` this month.
The band comprise of Linda S. Viens (vocals, electric and acoustic guitar), Richard Lamphear (keyboards, backing vocals), Daniel Coughlin (guitars, backing vocals), Daniel George Bernfeld (bass, backing vocals) and Nancy Delaney (drums, percussion, backing vocals). The title `Regenesis` reflects the process of a new beginning, renewal, or rebirth, it plays into the idea of a cycle played out across stages across the country.
The album opens with `Way With Words` which is a kind of response to those back-handed compliments that seem inoffensive but really annoy. A mid paced tune with harmonies and hand clapping towards the end. A number that i`m sure would go down well in a live setting. The reflective `I’m In Love With My Friends` is a power pop piece flowing with Hammond and Farfisa organ tones and a number in praise of those we know we can rely on and those who`ve gone before us.
`No One Like You` is in essence a tribute to the late Taylor Hawkins of The Foo Fighters but singer-songwriter Linda has shared that “while Hawkins’ death was the impetus for `No One Like You`, its themes extend outward towards the universality of loss, and how losing a person who inspired can shine a light on our need for empathy.” A delightful mid paced melodic reflection and fitting eulogy. We enjoy more of a slow burn with the introspective and nostalgic `The Fighter` which was written about the singer`s dad but also about the ancient legacy of violence in the wider world. There`s a brief guitar solo, organ hues and violin curtesy of Stud Green which gives the number a real sense of poignancy.
`Share It All` expresses the idiom of “All for one, and one for all” in a subtle way that really gets its point across. A song to champion the community and what the collective can achieve together and brought to mind for me the Solidarity (Solidarność) movement in Poland which led to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. It appears that the rhythmic rock out that is `Full Moon` is about singer Linda Viens finally letting go of someone she loved for a long time. There was for me a slight Lou Reed `Sweet Jane` guitar refrain running throughout.
`Beautiful Today` is a heartfelt ballad full of the uncertainty of love and whether it will last the test of time. The sound of the crashing Pacific ocean and Timpani drums guide us into `It’s The Way` a number that I read is about survival and second chances. It`s a larger than life tender dreamy submission that I could for some strange reason seeing Sir Mick Jagger making it his own.
The final cut `Wasn’t It Just Yesterday` is according to the singer about “our lifelong love of rock ‘n’ roll, our enduring friendships and collaborations, coming full circle, aging in this wild music business and more.” A tub thumping reflective rock out with all and sundry getting involved and yes i`m sure plenty of cowbell!!
It`s pretty obvious that the majority of Girl With A Hawk are season musicians with the ease that seeps through `Regenesis`. It`s an album that will offer a little something for everyone and i`m sure you`ll all have your favourite number after the album`s has had time to live with you.
Rating 8.5/10
