SweetKiss Momma
PRESS
"...SweetKiss Momma succeeds at making blues, southern rock a near spiritual experience."
"WOW! That was my first impression of this album when I first listened to it. I didn’t think that anyone could ever capture the feel and sound of 1970′s southern classic rock..."
"SweetKiss Momma's rebel rock is something that resonates from the Deep South, through their home in Puyallup and beyond. When you listen to the grit of dirty guitar, down-home lyrics and whiskey-licks, it's irresistible."
"…These guys obviously spent some time digesting their parent's record collections, and seem as though they would be right at home on a vinyl LP circa '74."
Dirt Highway - USA
“Southern Rock From Seattle? Sure, why not? SweetKiss Momma's authentically rural roots-rock is peppered with enough down-home thunderboogie to please even the hairiest/scariest Freebird fan.”
Sleazegrinder - Classic Rock Magazine - UK
"Old School American rock-n-roll. ...influenced by the 70's with soul in the vocals..."
Pedro Diaz - Subterráneo Heavy - Spain
"Southern soul-drenched rock & roll." "Damn good, indeed!"
Ctrl. Alt. Country - Belgium
"...late sixties and early seventies Classic Rock influence, with hints of Creedence Clearwater Revival swamp and elements of Soul and Gospel, while sounding remarkably current in a kind of Kings Of Leon way - only much better."
Ant Heeks - Fireworks - UK
"Good craft, good voice, good mood ... what more could you want?" "9 out 0f 10"
Steve Burdelak, Crossfire Metal Webzine - Germany
"This gritty platter of ballsy, blues-ified, riff-rock comes at you like a blood-spittled dripping gator crawling out of some time-warped southern swamp..." "This isn’t revisionist rock, it’s a reclamation! It’s a six-string declaration that rock in the classic southern vein is back."
"It truly is “roots rock” in every sense of the term. The music is warm and uncluttered, filled only with solid guitars, basic catchy hooks and good vocals appropriate to the genre." "…highly recommended for any old-school blues-rock or southern rock fan."
"...the Yanks play with a lot of heart and soul down (to) their bluesy swamp boots..."
Michael Rensen, Rock Hard - Germany
"SKM’s soulful, root rock sounds encourage audience foot stomping, toe tapping, hand waving and beat clapping."
Mocha Charlie - Seattle Music Insider - USA
"...what we have here is a robust and muscular exercise of southern rock..."
XAVI MARTINEZ - Rock On Magazine - Spain
"Raw southern roots rock and subtle blues ballads, gospel and soul influences which superbly come together..."
Jeroen Bakker - Festival Info - The Netherlands
" (SweetKiss Momma) amplify the feeling that Love and society can be observed and described only (through) the hardness of the grinding guitars."
Music Club - Italy
"'A Reckoning Is Coming' is a whirring album, led by often heavy and dirty riffs, and subtle textures..."
Mr. Blue - Music Waves - France
"...crossover hard rock, rock 'n' roll, and southern rock, brushed with blues, funk and soul, brings the genetic code of the greats of the past..."
Pedro Carvalho - Via Nocturna - Portugal
"('A Reckoning Is Coming' is) dramatic and powerful..."
Txema Mañeru - Orpheo - Spain
“(A Reckoning Is Coming) tends to go where you least expect it to at times, with some unusual textures and off-the-wall guitar solos, while also staying refreshingly free of the "verse chorus verse chorus solo chorus outro" formula.”
Rocktopia - UK
"Tough southern rock can be found at 'A Reckoning Is Coming'..." "...(the songs are) fired up by something from within."
John Gjaltema, Alt.Country.nl - The Netherlands
"...flawless Southern Rock"
Steve Braun, Rock Times - Germany
"SweetKiss Momma are as much like Drive-By Truckers as they are Gov't Mule."
Ron Swarner, Weekly Volcano - USA
"SWEETKISS MOMMA... combine 70s Southern Jam Rock with early 80s Hard Rock + some soulful ballads." "...similar to Black Crowes and Lynyrd Skynyrd."
Southern Records - Germany
"...a good example of traditional Southern-inspired rock." "...transports us to a dusty corner of American geography."
JJ Fontana, Rock and Roll Army - Spain
“(They) are some badass Southern Rockers.”
"D.B. Cooper", Lewis County Sirens - USA
"Breathe Rebel (is) a true Southern Rock anthem..."
Frank Ipach, Hooked On Music - Germany
"...if you like Southern roots rock and look for music without clichés, then you should undoubtedly choose 'A Reckoning Is Coming' from SweetKiss Momma!"
Eric Schuurmans, Rootstime - Belgium
"Mandatory material for the Southern base..." "...faithful to the style, from the floppy hat to the spurs."
Andreas Schiffmann, Musikreviews - Germany
"...you just keep wanting more, but if this happens to you, it is best that you light your joints first and continue to enjoy."
Santiago Sanz, Hidrofonia - Spain
"Southern Rock, Roots, Blues, Boogie and Country are represented at "A Reckoning Is Coming", and anyone who feels drawn a little to these genres will love the album." "Lynyrd Skynyrd meets the Kings Of Leon..."
Michael, Whiskey Soda - Germany
“They quite happily mix up roots rock with some Skynyyrd muscle on tunes like ‘Breathe Rebel’ and 'A Reckoning Is Coming', and even when they teeter on the edge of modern Americana, songs like ‘Same Old Stories’ retain some grit.”
Stuart Hamilton, The Rocker - UK
"In these guys live the genuineness as well as the dynamism of a kind electric as we want, but brought with meticulous attention to sounds."
Papermoon - Italy
"...the part of my heart that belongs to Molly Hatchet was sitting up and taking notice."
Chris Kee - Power Play - UK
"They may carry their retro influences proudly, but their music has depth, and branches out from southern tinged roots rock..." "...a vibrant, riff led, occasionally low-down and dirty, multi-layered album..."
Pete Feenstra - Get Ready To Rock - UK
"This band has an infectious upbeat attitude (with just a hint of sass) that resonates throughout the room. You just know they’re there to have a good time and will make sure the crowd does, too!"
Katrina Charles - Seattle Music Insider - USA
"...sounds like The Black Crowes’ Northwest auxiliary."
Pat Muir - Yakima Herald Republic - USA
"From a base of southern rock influenced by the great classics of the 70's has come one of the best albums of the year, a marvel called 'A Reckoning Is Coming'..."
Rockberto, Dioses Del Metal - Spain
"...this should well please any Southern Rock fan. All songs are good, the music has a pleasant muddy, rootsy sound (all in a good way!) and the playing and singing very nice indeed."
Harley Bergsma - Skydog's Elysium - Cape Verde
"...Jeff Hamel’s deep, gravely vocals are so suited to the heart-wrenching blues style that it just feels like he’s lived and breathed every word he speaks. The guitar work on this album will have any Lowell George fan doing a double take, and the rhythm section keeps things rolling like thunder in a swampy summer heat wave."
Ben "The Jammin Dude" Straley, NW Music Scene - USA
"This is a band ripe for the national spotlight!"
Bill Goodman - The Evil Engineer - USA
"...out to prove a point and make you a fan as their sound brings together southern rock with gospel to make sure you stand-up and take notice. "...this band is ready for the big-time with their outstanding collection of songs."
Jim Pasinski - JP's Music Blog - USA
“Every track on this record is just down right good, complete with ridiculous riffs and off-the-hook hooks. You will, without a doubt, be singing along whether you know the words or not… yep.. the record is just that damn good.”
Christian Hamilton - Seattle Sound Live - USA
"This is a tremendous rock band..." "...if you have been searching for that ever elusive great rock record, then you have found your gem. Highly recommended!"
Reg Rykaczewski Jr. - Heavy Planet - USA
"Fans who miss the fuzzy 1970s output of Foghat combined with the equally retro southern touch of prime Lynyrd Skynyrd will lap up the aptly named Revival Rock..." "It’s rock music, but it’s laid back, measured, and with a tangible air of hazy 1970s Summer afternoons." "...plenty of southern groove, and most importantly of all, plenty of honest-to-God good songs. Although there are comparable elements of many older bands in these tracks, SweetKiss Momma’s sound is their own take on the feel of those bands, not simply a copying of their sound.…"
Andy Lye - Jukebox:Metal - UK
"A young band with an old soul!"
"(SweetKiss Momma) walk among Southern Rock as if they had a lifetime doing it..." "...it is clear that these guys have been raised among the old records of Skynyrd and The Allman Bros., and also the not so old Black Crowes and Drive By Truckers."
Rafa Ramone - Broken Bones Rock Magazine - Spain
"...some great Southern Rock like in the '70's." "…it's just a real pleasure to listen to this album. Perfect songs, excellent musicians, and Hamel is a fantastic singer."
“A rootsy, Southern soul-tinged, instant classic.”
"...the album that could be their big break." "A band with this kind of kismet, this humility, this comfort in their own skin, is bound to go places in their own time..."
"Overall this is a fantastic album..." ”...southern-rock at it’s best!"
“...a healthy dose of nonchalance, unquestionable technical skills, spirit, inspiration and the right feel for the right songs..." "...an album that would, if it appeared 35 years ago, probably have achieved cult status...”
“…SweetKiss Momma offer gritty back porch, whiskey-dripping, southern rock charm. They're darn good at it, too." "…With sound inspiration from past influences and terrific musicianship, SKM is the real deal.”
"They are reminiscent of Drive-By Truckers, Kings Of Leon and especially Lynyrd Skynyrd. What further makes Sweet Kiss Momma so special, besides the great guitar work and strong songs, the voice of frontman Jeff Hamel: tough and unprecedented soul.
"Their sound is American Southern roots, soul-fueled and so laid back..." "SweetKiss Momma have a classic sounding, timeless album, making a great listen." 5/5
"North Americas best Southern Rock posse hail from the north, Puyallup, WA to be exact." "...this five piece have released a modern rock classic."
Joe Kolinsky - Planet Fuzz - USA
“...What I love about their sound is the rawness of it all. None of these songs are over-produced. It sounds as if they were just recording some jam sessions, rather than some studio engineers nitpicking every take on a computer screen. You can imagine SKM really rocking your world when playing live.”
"The band SWEETKISS MOMMA are the torch bearers of that southern rock sound that was created by the likes of THE ALLMAN BROTHERS AND LYNYRD SKYNYRD."
"...a Southern rock band deeply influenced by the seventies and the latest Black Crowes, with a hint of blues and a pinch of pop."
"... infectious melodies, drawl, organ and Southern-fried guitar licks." "If you like Southern rock, you’ll be all over Sweetkiss Momma’s Revival Rock."
"The up-to-date interpretation of the spiritual South’s laid-back swagger is authentic without sounding dated..."
Chybucca Sounds - USA
"…nice wah-wah guitar rock, deposit somewhere between SKYNYRD, early phase, and CCR..."
"The Pacific North West has managed to foster and develop SweetKiss Momma, a straight ahead Southern style blues-rock band in the vein of 70’s acts like Lynard Skynard, Foghat and Nugent."
“(translated via Google Translate) "Fashion(ed) for the sound and style of the '70s great wave rolls on an increasing number of groups." "Sounds, arrangements, construction of tracks, even the vocals seem to be transported from those times."”
"Vocalist and SKM head honcho Jeff Hamel possesses a particularly authentic gravelly North Western Pacific set of pipes." "...this is a more than decent slice of Southern rock."
“(translated via Google Translate) "The band's debut album, "Rock Revival", released in 2010, was highly praised and comparisons were inevitable, especially because it has a solid sound, backed with heavy guitar riffs. For those who like an old school Blues Rock/Southern Rock...".”
"...plenty of soul and down-home appeal..." "The band deftly alternates between thick, syrupy southern jams and slow spirituals.”
“If you love yourself some classic, southern style rock and roll… SweetKiss Momma is the real deal.”
“...I consider this disc a great debut that definitely will fascinate fans of southern rock sound with its mix of powerful and melodic. 4/5”
“...Driven by a relentless, yet at times cool and sensual mix of blues-rock with gospel undertones, Revival Rock also highlights the band's exceptional songwriting, which is driven by the delicate balance of Arnold's powerful riffs and Hamel's raw, honest lyricism.”
"...this band isn't one of those total retro acts who try so hard to make every riff sound like it's 1973. No, they are true to their influences, but mix it with some more modern sounds as well. Quite honestly they frequently hit on a mix that brings the best of both worlds because they are not afraid to bring 70's southern fried rock into modern days. They definitely have a confidence that shows through and they are not afraid to take chances.”
"...a blend of Frampton Comes Alive meets Lynyrd Skynyrd with a helping of CCR’s Green River and a splash of Northwest Seasoning. This is a must have album for any music lover...".
"...solid sound, backed with heavy guitar riffs, SweetKiss Momma is a group for those who like the old school of Southern Rock and Blues Rock."
"...Their style of modern classic southern rock - with both jamming rock songs, and mellow and soulful ballads - really is something that you don't hear every day, especially this well." "a reminder of the golden era of rock 'n roll, something that any fan of 70s classic rock can appreciate. I know this album just came out, but I'm chomping at the bit for more already! Seriously, go pick this one up...".
“It's totally retro throughout the album - no wonder that that album's titled 'Revival Rock'. Highlights include 'Son Of the Mountain'; the exquisite 'Mercy Love' that has a bit of 'Sweet Home Alabama' riffage and much more in it; 'Rocket Ride' - not be confused with the Kiss number - lol." "F*ck*n' Excellent. 10/10”
“Mountain meets Grand Funk in a duel to the death.”
"Top 100 New Southern Rock Songs" 16. Slow Fade - SweetKiss Momma, 49. Mercy Love - SweetKiss Momma, 71. Son of the Mountain - SweetKiss Momma
“…this record was incredibly catchy, had a very nice flow and really draws the listener in. Excellent job here overall for Sweetkiss Momma as they prove to you that they hold all of the perfect ingredients and essentials toward being a hugely successful band."”
“...consistently impressing audiences with their dynamic performances, they have raised comparisons ranging from such legends as Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers Band to contemporary stars like The Black Crowes...”
“It's a fantastic slab of warm, sticky, high voltage Southern Rock. A sound between Molly Hatchet, Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Brought Low... Great vocals, slingin guitars, melodies that taste like whiskey on a porch on a sunday evening, its great stuff.”
“This five piece Roots Rock, Southern-style, rock-n-roll powerhouse..." "...who they are is what most people are not. Real, fresh, authentic and most of all unique.”
“Quite honestly they frequently hit on a mix that brings the best of both worlds because they are not afraid to bring 70's southern fried rock into modern days. They definitely have a confidence that shows through and they are not afraid to take chances... ...For the most part this is definitely worth checking out and I can't wait to see where they go from here.”
“Singer/guitarist/harmonica player Jeff Hamel has a voice that the bite of Lynyrd Skynyrd singer Ronnie Van Zandt combines the rough emotion of Gregg Allman's voice, while in their music and the songs that the band brings influences of both groups regularly emerge.”
“The groove is undeniable and the soulful delivery of lead singer JEFF HAMEL can't be denied ... People may scratch their heads with regard to the geography of the band, and the images that their sound may generate, but folks can be assured that the bands embrace of a rootsier, southern sound are completely genuine.”
“Puyallup five piece SweetKiss Momma plays full-throated Roots Rock on their latest album Revival Rock, which is getting more attention in Europe than here because of… wait for it… better distribution.... There’s no reason for that. Go out and see them.”
“...clearly influenced by classic rock acts such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers, Black Crowes and more recently too. The textual and melodic aspect of most of the songs are borne by lead singer Hamel. He reminds you of so many a great rock voice from the seventies. And like many of those gentlemen, he also combines rock and blues here a healthy dose of Southern soul. 3.5/5 Stars”
“...The musicianship on Revival Rock is professional and tight and production quality is high. No doubt there is an audience for Sweet Kiss Momma’s brand of rootsy, gut punching rock n’ roll and surely the band has provided many fun Saturday nights full of bourbon and too many beers...”
"...Musically SKM satisfies, and their approach could be interesting equally for older and newer southern rock followers. 8.5/10"
“Classic southern rock, analog recording techniques, gritty guitar riffs, strong 'husky' vocals, equals an independent debut album just as good as any Molly Hatchet release as of lately. ...It's back-to-basics, "Revival Rock", straight out of the seventies America and you're bound to pick up some old melodies in the vein of The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, Steve Miller Band, 38 Special, and at times, BTO (Bachman Turner Overdrive). …Final verdict: it's solid rock sound, backed with a mighty fine vocalist and a nice 'retro' production. I'm sure we'll get to hear plenty more and better from this act in the future.”
“...You can't fault the devotion to the genre, well-crafted songs and great musicianship. If you already have a fondness for this kind of rock, and that could be anything from The Allman Brothers Band to Black Crowes there's probably something here for you.”
“You’d think that SweetKiss Momma would be from the Deep South somewhere around Florida via the Delta region, but they’re actually from the other side of the US way up in the Northwest - Washington State to be exact. Just goes to show you that now more than ever musical sub-genres really do transcend geographical boundaries.”
“Jeff Hamel is the lead singer of the southern rock band Sweet Kiss Momma and I can tell you that it´s so important to have the right man for the job like in this case with SweetKiss Momma...”
“This group I thought was playing stoner rock or something like that and it´s not so far away from what they´re doing. Mix that with some southern rock so it´s maybe the right about a group like this. It´s really well played music...”
“4/5 Stars”
“6 of 7 points! ...This album has a quite a lot. The songs all have a remarkable quality, the band plays absolutely tight and with much passion. The voice of singer Jeff Hamel is variable, it has a lot of feeling and power and gives the music of SweetKiss Momma thus the grain of "Soul"...”
“If you're into Southern Rock, you're gonna love what this Puyallup (a rural town not even 50 kms South of Seattle), Washington based band does! ...you'll understand why this band has been getting nothing else but positive reactions to their debut album! 90/100”
“…There is emotion behind the musical performances, it punches with some grit and power...”
“There is a strong blend of Southern rock Jam songs, and Laid Back Ballads. Very Honest Music from a young and upcoming band.”
“Think early ZZ top, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Allman Brothers but mixed in with some lighter doses of say Blue Cheer and Grand Funk Railroad...”
“SweetKiss Momma is able to have the bluesy style of a CCR or Guess Who, but has enough talent to make current listeners fall in love with the band. … Furthermore, rather than merely working off a formula that works, the inclusion of a more psychedelic rock sound showcases a uniqueness to SweetKiss Momma’s... Rating: 8.1/10”
“...Doubled leads, beautiful melodies, a nod to the always welcoming rhythm and a rough, yet gentle expression in the voice of front man Jeff Hamel.”
“Anytime I mention a group outside of the hip hop arena then they must really have something good going on. For those that don’t know, I’m a hip hop and R&B head through and through but good music is something that speaks to the soul…”
“…I'm sure fans of Southern/roots rock would put me straight on what I consider to be the dull period of the Black Crowes' career but Sweetkiss Momma have released an album that will have said fans queuing around the block to get a piece...”
“Some great Southern rock on show here, strong songs throughout and all well performed, fans of southern rock will love this. ”
“Mixing fool-proof rock ‘n roll subject matter with their well-crafted musical riffs, SweetKiss Momma offers a diverse blend of twangy Southern sounds, heavy-hitting beats and breakdowns pointed in an easy-to-love pop direction. They create a rootsy, clear and solid direction that conveys feelings of sultry lust, lazy afternoons, wayward lifestyles, and survival, all while holding onto their Northwest roots.”
“SweetKiss Momma music raWks ! "With a southern rock twist from the northwest band SweetKiss Momma carries on the tradition of the Outlaws, Lynyrd Skynyrd's and other guitar armies, there is something here for that drive home tonight, crank it up "”
“It is clear that Sweetkiss Momma are dedicated, body and soul, to southern rock…" "…"Rock Revival" contains several passages which exalt: southern rock strikes again! Sons of the Mountain”
“Southern rock is back!”
“Tonally, this album feels like a great Saturday night out; good friends, a couple of shots of your favorite Bourbon, a few too many ice-cold beers, and the pending specter of questionable choices…”
“Very good American Southern Rock band, worth checking out.”
“SWEETKISS MOMA play Classic American Southern Hardrock, not far removed from LYNYRD SKYNYRD, yet with a slight rawer edge. The band’s debut CD ‘Revival rock’ is a real must-have for fans of this genre, because it is all done very well. Not groundbreaking, but definitely an album that will be loved by any fan of pure Southern Hardrock. (Points: 8.0 out of 10)”
“The aforementioned quintet has his first album "Rock Revival" is a record recorded with the old-fashioned, but at the same time as timeless sounds pleasant...”
“...The majority of the sound turns traditional Southern Rock, which is affected very significantly by early LYNYRD SKYNYRD, the impact on the guitar work, melodies, vocals and the atmosphere is unmistakable. ... there is a real cowboy romance and the feeling of wide open spaces and endless highways.”
“(excerpt translated via google translator) … a great mix of sounds from blues rock, southern rock roots and in part but the whole atmosphere and packed with a '70s sound, and thus textures are beautiful rock/blues... …A great voice, scratchy guitars and inspired, rhythmic bass and drums make this excellent and incisive new group really interesting and enjoyable for all fans of rock and roll in general and sound with clear references to rock 70s, Rock Revival note…”
“... the album title itself leads ad absurdum, because good music has nothing to do with a revival, with a maximum of skill and taste….”
“The album name says it all. The band comes up with Rock, who is moving in initial orbits. The songs are all well fed and get instrumented with similar sound that accompanies the voice of singer Jeff Hamel well.... 7 out of 10!”
“…Overall, the band leaves behind a growing impression. In Jeff Hamel, they have a really good song writer in their ranks. ...consistently fun, great riffs, and a lot of nice hooks. Storms happy times with all due hardness front, but also slows down for a couple of beautiful, melancholic and melancholic moments.”
“An album for lovers of good Southern Rock, half way between the Drive By Truckers and the Crowes. Classic songs but with a something, a feeling that causes the difference between them and the many bands of the style.”