Rocker Neal Sears has been playing with the Fulton’s Underground Band in the Quad Cities for the past six years and has lent his chops to other bands for longer than that. For his latest solo undertaking Glimmer of Light, Sears also enlisted the help of his buddies from Fulton’s Underground Band, especially Adam P. Vegas for his guitarwork on the album. Having played in other people’s bands including a cover band Momma’s Puddin’ for the most part of his career, Sears is finally embarking on his own project, a hard balance between solo and collaborative. From radio-friendly hits like “I Don’t Call Her Anymore” to punk-inspired jams like “Legacy Of The Beef Man” and the reggae-infused “Give Way To The Morning,” Sears uncompromisingly makes music on his own terms and this shows throughout this six-track collection of fun-loving rock tunes.
Glimmer of Light opens up with “I Don’t Call Her Anymore,” as a fiery Latin vibe could be felt right from the start. As guitars and drums settle in, a flute also weaves in tracing a delicate sound. I loved Sears' vocals right from the start. This pop rock-based track felt very accessible. All the instrumentals really came together effectively, bursting with rhythms and grooves. More driven guitars start off “Car Bomb.” Here Sears’ vocals sound deeper with a reverberating twist. The music also feels darker with a more ominous vibe. It reminded me in instances of Johnny Cash. I loved this new dark twist with its flavorful rock notes. Some bongos give “Lost Love (ft. Mateja Schuck)” a lively island flavor. Settling into the groove are some percussive beats and guitars. Combined female and male vocals weave into this recording. The keys and hushed background vocal harmonies also adds to the mellow vibes. On “Hello Li’l Red,” some jangly guitars highlight the shimmering sound coming off this song. Filled with amped notes, this energized anthem is packed full of aggressive rock flavors. The epic guitar solos are explosive. For the most part this track consists of Sears repeating the line “Hello Li’l Red.” Off to a sauntering groove, the tune on “Give Way To Morning” meanders for a bit. Next, a very island-flavored reggae vibe comes in. The tune is very uplifting and groovy. This felt like a dance-worthy track. I loved the feel-good vibes here. Some keys set the tone for the start of “Legacy Of The Beef Man,” making for a wall of sound. The combined vocal harmonies felt very on-point as this rocking punk rock song feels very driven and amped. I greatly enjoyed the delivery on this energized closer. Taking the lead in all these tracks is Sears’ commanding stage presence. He commandeers with dynamic showmanship, reining in listeners as he tackles each track with his convincing onstage persona. Each track on this eclectic album stands out on its own merits. With no two tracks alike, Sears’ new record Glimmer of Light feels like a wild ride through rock history’s best moments. With dashes of classic rock, indie, punk, reggae and more, Sears certainly keeps it coming with his high-energy performances that definitely feed into the frenzy of these fervent rock tracks. These songs feel very much in the traditional vein, as Sears keeps the familiar and accessible vibe of classic rock alive in these tracks. Purists of the genre will find something to appreciate here. This proved to be one enjoyable ride down memory lane as Sears carries the torch for other like-minded bands. I look forward to seeing more from this artist.
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