Bridget Kelly Band - Dark Spaces (Album Review)

The blues underground here in the state of Florida is real. There are numerous bands who could easily stand on the national stage. A band that caught my attention a few years back continues to churn out accessible and meaningful blues rock. That band is the Bridget Kelly Band. Their latest effort is called Dark Spaces. It is yet another chapter in a deepening catalog of sultry, scorching blues rock songs that range from optimistic and fun to dark and thought provoking. Lead vocalist Bridget Kelley seems to get better with age. Her delivery is sultry and smooth, and she really turns up the heat on songs like "Back Seat Love". And the album's title track with it's haunting guitar licks and lyrics that relate to depression or loneliness. Bridget's husband Tim Fik is one of those guitar players you should have heard of. His jangly blues tones often branch out into psychedelic jam band territory. But Tim can also apply a funky groove to those strings. These are musicians who've paid their dues on the live circuit. In fact these tracks have a live-in-the-studio feel to them.

Dark Spaces has plenty of material that will add to an already smoldering live show. "Southern Wind" is an instant favorite featuring an extended southern rock jam that pays homage to bands like the Allmans or Blackberry Smoke. "Your Days Are Numbered" begins with a traditional blues riff and Bridget's snarling lead vocal. A touring band like this benefits greatly in the studio from the constant gigging. Chops are honed and musical parts are nailed with efficiency. Fik unleashes an atomic bomb extended guitar solo on "Days" that will blow way past your expectations. "Free Me" has a made for blues-rock radio feel to it. This band moves seemlessly between blues and more melodic elements. And Tim Fik fashions his solos into their own songs which run through the melody. The band used three different drummers on this record as well as Mark Ambrecht on bass along with Fik who also plays bass on some of the tracks.

"Sky's The Limit" is a danceable blues-rock track with more radio potential. These are all original songs and the material stands on it's own as original and fresh. And even though this is predominantly a blues record, it feels diverse in it's influences. Fans of hard rock will immediately dig all of the extended jams on this record. "In The Spirit (souls in the river)" is a soulful track sung with much passion by Bridget. The lyrics emphasize our connection with the natural world around us. The guitar riff in this song is particularly addictive. "No Use In Tryin'" is a smoldering slow burning blues onslaught. Tim Fik's guitar lights the way for some introspective bluesy lyrics. Fik then unleashes more of his ultraviolet guitar in another amazing solo. "Moments" is more slow or mid-tempo mojo, the perfect music bed for Bridget's sultry story telling. "Things About To Change" is an excellent mid-tempo southern rock flavored blues track filled with lyrics about optimism and grace. This particular track hit me hard with all of what is going on in the world today.

"Someone To Hold On To" immediately reminded me of Buddy Guy or B.B. King in it's demeanor. Add some sultry singing and you've got yet another great BKB original. "Sometimes You Gotta Dance" wraps the whole thing up with some rockin', upbeat grooves. Still flavored with plenty of Tim Fik guitar pyrotechnics.

This is another in a series of raw, well crafted blues rock records. The band keeps it simple, and certainly all these songs will be perfect for the live stage whenever that happens again. The Bridget Kelly Band continues to deliver consistent, original music that will have you thinking or have you dancing, or possibly both at the same time.

Album Rating 9.6