Approached with an open mind this is unexpectedly good.

Featuring only vocalist Hugo Ferriera from the original line up, '37 Channels' shows Tantric 2013 to be an entirely different beast from the Toby Wright produced Alice In Chains sound-alikes on the first two Maverick albums 'Tantric' and 'After We Go'.

Featuring a whole host of guests ranging from Hinder's Austin Winkler (he managed to stand up long enough), Uncle Kracker's Kevin McCreery, 3 Doors Down's Greg Upchurch and.......wait for it!....Leif Garrett, '37 Channels' is infinitely more eclectic. 'Again' and 'Blue Room' are perhaps the most Tantric-like offerings, the country blues of 'Mosquita', the simple bass groove of 'Loss For Words' or the lilting melody of 'My Turn' (Leif Garrett shares vocal duties) providing the more leftfield highlights.

The duet with Austin Winkler on 'Fault' perhaps shouldn't work but somehow manages it against all expectation and that's the reason that this album seems to work; high class musicians cooking up an eclectic fusion of modern rock with old and new style country in a way that they want to without any label pressure.

Approached with an open mind this is unexpectedly good.

Mike Newdeck