Hailing from JPUSA (pronounced "jah-POO-zah"); home of artists like The Blamed and Headnoise, Glenn Kaiser presents a natural and energizing take on Gospel blues with the album Ripley County Blues.

Kaiser peppers the album with smooth acoustic, electric, Dobro guitars, and harmonica mix that make this album an impressive performance. From the first song, Nick of Time, your interest will be piqued - forcing you to take notice of the screaming blues licks that pepper the entire CD.

While there are ample amounts of strong blues-infused music on the disc, there are a couple of songs that simply seem a bit out of place on a CD that's key trait is supposed to be blues - songs like Promises He'll Keep, and Take Your Stand (which turns out sounding more like a Church Camp pep-song in comparison to the other songs) make you wonder who turned the blues off! However, despite the unusual placement, it doesn't greatly diminish the value of the CD overall.

Kaiser showcases his ability to write great songs throughout the CD (Glenn Kaiser was/is the lead singer of REZ Band) by injecting thought provoking lyrics from a undeniably Christian point of view in songs like Workday Blues, and Deliver Me. Fortunately it's self-evident that Kaiser doesn't cave in to the sloppy theology that has so dominated the Christian sub-culture, as demonstrated in songs like Nick of Time; which one can't listen to without thinking that it might have a jab or two aimed squarely at the 'name it, claim it' theology.

"He didn't promise you a Cadillac. He didn't say that you'ed get paid back. He didn't tell you that you would win the lottery when times got thin. Keep seekin' and you will find... He'll meet your needs in the nick of time!

He didn't promise no penthouse view. Perfect health, or a pleasure cruise. No velvet Elvis or a Vegas show. No run of luck at Lake Tahoe. But those who trust Him will be doin' fine... He'll meet your needs in the nick of time!"
-Nick of Time

While not a mind-blowing blues CD, you could hardly go wrong with talent like this.

Buy it from Grrr Records

Mike Frost
www.buzzgrinder.com