The Alrights

Throughout the often tumultuous and storied histories of the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal genres, the state of Minnesota has produced numerous highly talented (if not historic) artists and groups. With acts ranging from American Head Charge, The Jayhawks, Prince, and Soul Asylum each offering an unnervingly diverse (and in some cases, significantly skewered) take on their own often widely varied influences, the possibilities, it seemed, were endless. However, despite this, few of these artists have effectively delivered music that could (in my ever so humble opinion, at least) be truly described as “pure” or “straight-up” Rock ’n’ Roll, a factor that has left many ultimately unsatisfied.

Fortunately for all parties involved, the Duluth, MN-based trio The Alrights have at long last arrived with a solution to the madness at hand.

On the brilliant High School (2004), an expertly assembled thirteen song collection of impossibly spirited Hard Rock, each track, beginning with the rollicking, fuzz-tone-laden “Call Her Name”, and the tongue-in-cheek (albeit maddeningly infectious) “Heaven Sends Her Regards”, immediately commands the undivided attention of even the most jaded and unimaginative of listeners (myself most definitely included) with a seamless, mostly mid-tempo barrage of soaring vocals, thought-provoking guitars (trust me!) and imaginatively soulful rhythms that (despite being somewhat geographically isolated) are, without a doubt, quite easily worthy of the highest of critical and commercial accolades.

Continuing with the simplistic (yet oddly compelling) “In A Way”, and the lilting quasi-ballad “If It Is A Dream”, the steadfast (to say the very least) combination of vocalist/guitarist Toby Churchill, bassist/vocalist Danny Cosgrove and drummer Chad “Chavo” Amborn steamrolls forward at an occasionally feverish pace, effectively capitalizing on the grassroots momentum of the groups often-troubled (albeit much-celebrated) past, further solidifying an already burgeoning (and undoubtedly hard-earned) reputation as a creative force not to be ignored amid the hopelessly inbred (anyone remember the Black Eeyed Snakes or Puddle Wonderful?) Twin Ports “scene”.

Co-produced and engineered by the acclaimed Dave Hill at the now infamous Superior, WI-based Inland Sea Studios, other standouts, including the utterly stunning “Validation”, and the equally impressive, Jazz-infused “Alright By Me”, offer further sonic evidence (though at this point, with the inescapable presence of such an impressive pedigree, none is actually needed) in support of the almost unbelievable wealth of lyrical and musical wizardry at the smoldering epicenter of each breathtaking composition. Thus, even the inclusion of arguably marginal material such as the uncharacteristically dark “Jump For Joy” fail to subtract from the overall festive mood within.

Even if you somehow find yourself unable to openly embrace the groups refreshingly unique (if not completely unparalleled) blend of retro Rock ingenuity and pure Pop sensibilities (think The Beatles meets “Mama Said” era Lenny Kravitz), one must, at the very least, sincerely admire the dedication, enthusiasm and integrity each track has obviously been so painstakingly crafted with. If you are looking (and we sincerely hope that you are) for a user-friendly alternative to the painfully mindless “Nu Metal” and Rap-inspired insanity that invariably surrounds us all, then this little guilty pleasure might just be the cure for what ails you. Trust me, my friends, you won’t be disappointed.