Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

ll Big is comprised of five individual musicians from varied backgrounds with a wealth of talent and influences that cover just about the entire rock n roll spectrum.
As a band, releasing their latest recording "SOUND OF THE HIGHWAY," ll Big delivers 10 songs in the arena rock/classic rock tinged tradition with the kind of robust style and hook heavy cadence for which the genre has long been known. Fronted by guitarist/vocalist Eddy Ottenstein, who, over the course of more than 30 years in the business, has lent his talents to the works of Van Morrison, Steve Miller and even the Grateful Dead, ll Big's sound is pure '70s rock, updated for the no-longer-so-new millennium. As if channeling the ghosts of Creedence Clearwater Revival, ll Big creates gutsy, bluesy rock that immediately resonates. In fact, Ottenstein does a pretty good impersonation of John Fogerty, but you just know that approximating Fogerty isn't his objective. There's a lot of originality, grit and sharpness to Ottenstein's skill, heightening the overall effect. His guitar play is superb! On "Hammer Down", Ottenstein pushes the lever on high, nearly taking it to the limit of slice-happy, melodically filled guitar rock.

Yet, on tracks such "Always In Trouble", the tempo is eased a bit, showcasing the subtle and subdued folk component of this ensemble. And, just listen to "Motor City Blues" as played by ll Big to be swept away by its Eagles/Hotel California sound.

But of course, ll Big isn't Eddy Ottenstein alone. He is supported by a cadre of music talent that informs this band with solid rock n roll cred and high quality craftsmanship. The rhythm section consists of Steve Lamun on bass, Ken Ingels on drums and Aubrey Hansen on rhythm guitar (who also provides heartfelt, deeply emotive vocals as well!). Completing this tight unit is Tom Hansen, keyboardist and back-up vocalist.

Although I was but a mere babe when 70's rock was at its heyday, I have some memories of listening to my AM radio and hearing the rockin' strains of Foghat, Blue Oyster Cult, and the Eagles coming out of my mono-speakers. It seems ll Big remembers this as well, and songs like "That Kind of Neighborhood" and the title track, "Sound of the Highway," make it seem like all those years (well, maybe not SO MANY years!) weren't that long ago. ll Big earns high points in my critic's notebook for evoking these cherished sounds, keeping it freshand alive when, nowadays, it can sometimes seem that true musicians are a thing of the past. When you've got computer programming up the yin-yang, and a bevy of uber-producers and engineers always at the ready, primed to apply a coat of super high-techno gloss over any recording and lay down tracks that are just a bit too slick and too perfect, it's a wonderful relief to find pure music such as this. ll Big are the genuine article-worthy of any generation's praise and attention.