BLENDED BREW – Shove it Down

Blended Brew Packs a Punch

Danish Hard Rockers blend the best elements from the 70s into a great modern recording with their new album Shove it Down. The band is Blended Brew, and they want us all to know that this is an analog recording, done by the band live in the studio; message heard, loud and clear and I for one love it and appreciate the extra effort to get it right. They compare their genre to old Deep Purple and AC-DC, and they are not too far off in that assessment. Being from the generation when great rock bands had that classic guitar tone and Hammond organ, I immediately felt right at home listening to Shove it Down. The band has given us a well produced Hard Rock album that does feel like a live performance, which is becoming more rare these days.

Bluesy, Groovy Rock from Denmark

The singer/guitarist Jimmy Månsson gets an excellent tone on his Gibson SG that takes you back to a different time. His voice reminds me of early Stephen Tyler blended with a young Dan McCafferty the way he has great range and a healthy amount of grit. Between Månsson’s guitar work and the sweet Hammond organ played by Lord Sebastian Groset, Blended Brew capture a classic sound that never goes out of style. The solid drum work of Christoffer Beck ties it all together, and with the addition of Lasse H. Mortensen on bass the band delivers some solid Rock and Roll.

Modern Rock with a Vintage Sound

I could go through each track to explain why I think it’s great and worth listening to, but every song on this record has a lot to offer the rocker in all of us.  The catchy songs have you tapping your foot before you even realize that you are digging the music. And you will be digging the music, especially if you have an old school sound system and crank it up. I did, and wow! I had a feeling that I was transported through time to a simpler age when it was about being in a band, and playing with your heart and soul on every note.

Final Notes

This is only the 2nd album from these guys, but they have a musical maturity that comes as a pleasant surprise. The album has 9 rockers and ends on the sweet ballad “Don’t Say No” with Månsson showing his excellent vocal ability over the haunting piano work of Lord Sebastian Groset.  The sounds are vintage, but the songs are fresh and leave me wanting more. All in all, Blended Brew have put together a great record. If you love old school Rock like Nazereth and Uriah Heep,  then you should definitely add Shove it Down to your collection.

Line up

Jimmy Månsson: Vocal & Guitar
Lord Sebastian Groset: Piano, Organ & Blues Harp
Christoffer Beck: Drums
Lasse H. Mortensen: Bass

Track list – Shove it Down

Ancient alien
Stay in the shadows
Woman I need you
Electrified looser
Rival Cunt (Give me your love)
Shove it down
If the streets could talk
Run and hide
Renegade
Don’t say no