TIA CARRERA – Cosmic Priestess

No matter how many years will pass by, it seems there will never be enough of good quality ’70s-oriented Hard Rock music. Although the ’80s era was much more colorful and thrilling because of its off-the-charts energy, the magic of the ’70s is an undeniable and undying gem. There is something celestial in the way Hard Rock / Rock was played back then, as it was an era when the genre was still being shaped. When you have the chance to get your hands on the new release by Tia Carrera, you will truly understand why vintage Rock is so important for the soul and for the continuance of the genre.

Cosmic Priestess should be your next overdose and a ticket to the worlds that shaped the music of late ’70s… stars such as Jimmy Hendrix with his Experience band, early Carlos Santana, and other bands of the same mold that sought to be a little bit more outside of the borders than of the rest of that era’s major Rock figures. Unlike Hendrix or Santana, Tia Carrera is all about the music and not lyrics. The main reason rests on the fact that the band has no vocalist and also because they mainly call themselves a Jam ’70s Band. Their self-recognition requires no argument. As for the vocals, after listening to their challenging creations, it was pretty logical why those were bypassed.

This new album consists of four tracks and two of them are beyond a half hour in duration. What was interesting in those tracks is that all of them rocked, but each track symbolized a different character that made a spectacle of what these guys can do.

“Slave Cylinder” is a ’70s American Hard Rock assault filled with amazing solos that would have made Hendrix proud. “Sand, Stone And Pearl” is also a good rocker, yet it’s not your ordinary Rock tune, and it’s very constructive. “Saturn Missile Battery” can be described as an all-around Hard Rock track. It maintains the qualities of the prior tracks and stretches them into a full-scale, long-listening experience. At first it attacks with some nasty licks and crooked riffs, then turns down a bit to rest only to finish with a blaze.  A lengthy track, but still impressive. “A Wolf In Wolf’s Clothing” was different and feels like a Rock experiment… but its vibe is crazy and hazy.

Erik Conn, Jason Morales and the band’s new permanent member, Jamey Simms, made quite a showing with a unique ’70s jam session that reminds of many aspects of Rock music that have been sidelined a bit over the years. Cosmic Priestess is a must for ’70s Rock fans, and even current day Metalheads can come and check this one out to appreciate the vibe of Metal’s forefathers.

Tracklist

1. Slave Cylinder
2. Sand, Stone And Pearl
3. Saturn Missile Battery
4. A Wolf In Wolf’s Clothing

Lineup

Jason Morales – Guitars, Bass
Jamey Simms – Bass, Guitars
Erik Conn – Drums