SoCal rock outfit Pump5 recently released their latest album, Paradise Place, produced by Dennis Hill and mixed by Mike Troolines.
Fronted by Steven Barnett, Pump5 formed during the ‘90s, followed by dropping their debut long player, Tour, in 2004, and Full Service in 2017. The success of the latter album led to Pump5 sharing the stage with Bullet Boys, Great White, L.A. Guns, Puddle of Mudd, Ratt, and Terri Nunn of Berlin.
Along with Barnett, Pump5 is made up of Drew Cates (bass), Andre Bonter (drums), and Alex Kane (guitar).
Encompassing 10 tracks, Paradise Place begins with “Hello,” opening on a dirty guitar topped by Barnett’s rich, rasping voice, imbuing the vocals with snarling tones.
Entry points on the album include “Make Me,” a thrumming rocker brimming with chunky guitars, a walloping rhythm, and alluring energy. Vaguely reminiscent of Cheap Trick, “Make Me” pushes out driving layers of heavy dynamics, including a blistering guitar solo.
Opening on a low-slung acoustic guitar and Barnett’s tender vocals, “Cat Sung” slowly builds into a thick, pulsing mid-tempo rhythm, featuring a fat, rumbling bassline. As the harmonics escalate, the tune takes on hefty washes of guitars, at once finessed and melodic. Radiant vocal harmonies add depth and dimension, giving the song resonant scope.
The soft intro to “I Promise” quickly ramps up to grinding, growling guitars tinted with hints of punk rock aromas, infusing the tune with high-octane motion. Soaring with heady timbres, Barnett struts his rock star voice on this track.
The final track, “Cheers,” ties the album off with rock panache, merging elements of pop-punk with rock muscle, delivering tight, surging guitars and a delicious, luminous flow as Barnett’s strident vocals give the lyrics vibrant surfaces.
Pump5 has it going on! Paradise Place hums with steroid-like force, formidable guitars, and compelling rhythms, as well as an elegant aspect.
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PUMP5 ON TOUR:
8/31 – Denver CO – HQ
9/1 – Omaha NE – Beach House
9/2. – Janesville WI – Back Bar
9/3 – Brodhead WI – Minihaha
9/6 – Kingston Ontario Canada – Overtime bar
9/7 – Toronto Canada – The Rock Pile
9/8 – Detroit MI – Diesel Lounge
9/9 – Saginaw MI – Hamilton St Pub
9/10 – Rockford IL – Whiskeys Roadhouse