CD Overview

2011-04-28T16:46:18-04:00

"XactaboX" are doing something unique in modern music; playing straight up radio rock with feeling & personality. This eponymous debut release tells a story from the viewpoint of real people -
experiencing life and relationships with a positive outlook and a desire to find fulfillment.
Things start out with the classic story of two people meeting. Interesting guitar tones and soaring vocals power "The Day". "All is Ever Changing" is a
driving rock song channeling the excitement of what's to come and how we got to where we are, with insightful lyrics written by Kelly Zaleski. The albums first single is a guitar rock ballad titled "Reasons". Amazing vocal tone and confidence from Derek (D~ROC) Harris mesmerize the listener and are sure to mirror the inner thoughts of us all. The most adventurous voyage on the disc travels through "The Firmament". Like a
Rock-Jazz- R&B journey, this modern classic rock original will offer new atmospheres on every listen,
including expert rhyming & flow from Nate Smoove.
"Nothing Better" could describe the mix of infectious lead & harmony vocals this song offers, while reflecting on the times when life is truly good. Layers of acoustic and electric guitars
form a great pop rock sound. The heartbreak of "Bird on a Limb" is palpable, on this song where vocals & guitars reinforce the feelings of life's melancholy moments and the power to. Destined to anchor a movie scene, where the desire to carry on is essential. This song is pure magic & emotion.
The second half of the disc kicks off with "Free", an arena rock powerhouse with anthem-sized hooks and a "Journey" worthy sing-a-long. Every
person deals with the contemplation of worthiness, and "Tried & True" bottles this moment of time with a familiar story and guitar rips approved by Carlos Santana himself. "Big Crushing Love" is the one every songwriter will ask "why didn't I think of this
obvious perspective on the break-up song"? XactaboX walk a fine line between the qualities of: never indulgent & never boring. Lyrics and song structures are comfortable & interesting without
juvenile cliche'. "Fade Away" is another radio rocker that draws on influences, while never just rehashing standards of the rock genre' or jumping on the flavor of the week bandwagon. The instrumental coda here is a chance for lead guitarist Robbie Hunt to stretch out and let it fly. The tightness & groove of Ross Hagberg (bass) and Tim Higby (drums) make this
rhythm section able to stand toe to toe with legends like the Rolling Stones, while capturing the modern power of current rock radio standouts like the Foo
Fighters and Alice in Chains. "Blood Drain" examines the metaphoric possibility of being killed by ones own emotions. This song is slow burning pure power with more exceptional singing and relentless guitar passages. Maybe, an ode to personal rebirth and a fresh beginning - thoughtfully explained on the album's closer, "Sianara". This is the kiss off, with frantic vocals and smokin' guitar tricks that indicate the rulebook has finally been discarded.
Overall, this album has a cohesive sound with each song occupying it's place in a wide spectrum.
The vocals are pleasing and powerful, and even on the mellower tunes - this band rocks and knows how to groove. Principle songwriters Robbie Hunt and Derek
Harris have been perfecting their sound during a partnership of well over a decade. Co-produced (with Robbie Hunt) and engineered by rising studio star
Daniel Daigneault, the end result is this stellar eponymous debut album - "XactaboX" For more info & to purchase direct, check the band's "Official
Website" at: HUNT4MUSIC.COM

Finding the time

2010-07-28T13:17:24-04:00

Forming and maintaining a band is a hard thing to to. Maybe that's why I was in about 40 of them in the 80's. The hardest thing was dealing with all of the personalities & the lack of maturity in a group of 20-something year old guys. So then I wasn't in a band for 20 years & finally realized that there is no experience quite like creating and playing live music with real people, as studio stuff is a completely different animal. Well, now that we have a group of great musicians & personalities, I am realizing what maturity in the members brings to a band. Man is it hard to get everyone together to rehearse. Lives full of responsibilities and obligations are tough for even one person to organize, let alone 4 guys that are all trying to do the balancing act with their individual situations. In understanding this it dawned on me that I would not change a thing. Every bit of the planning effort is worth it, to be part of such a great group of guys and the satisfaction of really playing live music well. And the life experience we all have is going directly into our original music which will be something that is fun to promote & be very proud to be a part of. I just want to say thanks to all of the guys & their families for making the effort to find the time for a bunch of old guys like us to still be rockin' & having fun & making some great music. There is no way I would ever want to be in my 20's again, and I am thankful that I can appreciate and enjoy the ride this time around. It may take us next to forever to get anything done, but when we do, it will gratifying. And I am old enough now to know that the adventure is where the excitement is anyway. Robb

Blog for XactaboX

CD Overview

Finding the time