Search - Robert Bradley :: Time to Discover

A bit softer

Don Eno | Fort Kent Maine | 03/29/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My first experience with RBBS was when I put on a pair of headphones at a local music store, the kind they use to let you listen to new albums. After listening to "Bellybone" off that first album at the store, I was hooked. That first album was raw and rough, a welcome departure from most of the fluff out there. Being blues smothered in mowtown soul and baked in straight guitar rock, it had everything to offer, especially the voice of Robert.This second album, "Time to Discover" is a more polished, but softer set, still essetially blues and soul. A more modern feel, with drum programming and Kid Rock additions on a couple of songs, it is almost nothing like the first album, but then again it is. The same kinds of songs from a new perspective. Perhaps the songs are too tight, but the band's playing and Robert's singing is perfect. I prefered the heavier guitar sound on the first album, it demanded to be listened to loud. This album is just as good, but slides it's way into the background, becoming a soundtrack for easy hip swaying grooves. There are potentially more commercial singles on this second album, but only because most stations won't play play the rougher stuff from the firast album.If you like Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield and Robert Cray or if you like gritty Midwest blues tinged with southern California grooves and "gutbucket" vocals, get this album."

Great, soulful Motor City rock

David J. Forsmark | Flushing, MI United States | 04/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just when you thought R&B had to consist of syrupy vocals and processed background "music", along comes this great Detroit band. Robert Bradley's gruff, expressive vocals sell every song. Tim Diaz's organ hearkens back to when keyboard players were more than mere programmers. This is fine, fine music."

Time For People To Respect This Group....

Clay Kadash | Glen Allen, VA (USA) | 03/22/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's amazing in a music industry that is flooded with Britney Spear's and Limp Bizkit's that anyone would give a group like this a chance. To make it simple, Robert Bradley's Blackwater Suprise is way past their time. If they came out 30 years ago, they would be selling records with no trouble, but it's hard to find older people that listen to new music and younger people who dig the classical rock movement. To put this group in perspective, I might say, if Marvin Gaye, Joe Cocker, and Ray Charles meet Janis Joplin's band, this would be the reflection of the group. A voice of pure energy backed by the sounds of rhythum and blues. Their first album, came to me when MTV briefly played their video. I guess it never caught on because I've only seen it once since then. Anyway, I purchased the album only to be blown away. The group does it again with "Time to Discover" but with a little change. The songs keep their classical flavor, but Kid Rock brings maybe a bit to much moderness to the table. At first I was skeptical about the album when I heard he was going to be apart of the project. Don't get me wrong, I own Kid Rock's album but I wasn't sure how his rap sound would work with it? Would it ruin the classical presense this album brings? Anyway, he starts out rapping on "Higher" but before long, the Ray Charles' style voice of Mr. Bradley kicks in and takes the song to anouther level, being backed by some amazing work from the sliding guitar and the next thing you know, your blown away again. Some might have said that the band sold out, by putting Kid Rock on the album. You might say that, but his presense isn't know but in like 5 seconds of the first track. He also, does some pretty good guitar work on "Tramp" but no singing. Though, I'm sort of for it. I mean, if that's what it's going to take to put this band in the forefront, then go for it. This is also the reason why I only gave it 4 stars for now. The album may grow on me and Kid Rock might have seemed like a good choice, but their first album was 5 stars because it was so fresh and new and unlike anything else we're heard in ages. So, to put it simple if your into teenage icons and simple music for simple people..this isn't you. Bradley might not be a sophisticated lyric writer, but this band is a treasure in a music industry of artifical gold."