New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The successful single "I Can't Wait Any Longer" begins the Mike Montrey Band's latest release Searching for My Soul. It's an excellent way to lead off the band's latest release as it establishes their roots-driven sound for both newcomers and longtime fans alike - it tells us unequivocally the direction we'll be traveling over the course of this album. His chemistry with second vocalist Jen Augustine is one of the many "weapons" the outfit has at their disposal for wooing listeners and the bluesy magic they summon for this track gives it the sort of deep soul that we don't hear nearly enough of these days.
"Reno" invokes a sense of inwardness and mystery without ever sounding pretentious. It's a showcase number for the entire band, without a doubt, but casting the spotlight even brighter on Montrey and Augustine's vocal interplay reveals another side of their gift. Their performances are dialogue-like; Montrey's voice carries the majority of these songs but Searching for My Soul wouldn't be the same album at all without her presence. It takes songs such as "Reno" to an altogether higher level than they would otherwise occupy.
"So Long City of Angels" is, like the other six songs on this release, tailor-made for on-stage success. Years of listening to similar music have perhaps trained your ears to anticipate Montrey breaking out into some standard big guitar solo throughout these songs, but he overturns that expectation. His compositional approach to playing in this band is apparent throughout "So Long City of Angels" and, despite its lack of stereotypical six-string histrionics, sparks like a live wire. The hard-hitting, emphatic burner "Blue Skies Again" gives us the full measure of this band pushing through with a full-throated performance from its vocalists. Montrey is completely in the moment, his voice changing with the song, and it carries quite a cumulative punch.
The piano opening the first few seconds of "Held on To You" tells experienced listeners all they need to know about what's coming. Montrey doesn't disappoint. The song soars for a variety of reasons but among the chief qualities distinguishing it is the great lyrical detail, Montrey's nuanced vocal, and the use of horns. It's a look back at love long past but the love is still there, and you can hear it in his voice and, especially, the almost ghostly accompaniment that Augustine provides. His wrenching guitar solo near the song's end eschews theatrics and bombast in favor of well-chosen notes and conciseness.
"Listen to Me Roar" is a mid-tempo light rocker that highlights Augustine's vocal contributions during the chorus with great results. It's a folk rocker, at heart, and the jangle sustaining the song through its verses and refrain engages listeners. "Searching for the Sun" ends the album with a low-key track favoring acoustic sounds and a solid drum attack. It's easy to lose sight of his talents as a lyricist when the music is as good as this, but Montrey's a capable writer who often punches far above his seeming weight as he does here. It ends The Mike Montrey Band's Searching for My Soul on an eloquent and soulful note well in keeping with the entire album.
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