Inner Ally

Take a trip to Hollywood, the first full length, 12 track album offering from eclectic retro rock band Inner Ally!  It’s well worth the journey, as each original song takes the listener on a thrill ride of lyrical emotional depth, catchy pop refrains, bonafide classic rock guitar riffs, precise percussion and extraordinary vocals. Featuring several remixed and remastered songs from previous EPs, along with a diverse collection of new tracks ranging from hard rock to country, Hollywood showcases the full potential of this popular midwestern ensemble while making the listener’s ear crave more and more of their craftily compiled musical confections.  Come along for the ride, as Inner Ally’s breakout album shines through the lights of Tinseltown and has the potential of bringing people together during these troubling times of anger and social media tribalism.

Inner Ally fans (who the band refers to as “allies”) will be familiar with the first track, Stand By You, from EP1. Frank Patek steadily delivers his uplifting lyrics, as in the previous rendering. The version on this album, however, has stronger background vocals, new guitar licks and  higher production quality. Gone are the keyboards from the previous release, and we are introduced to Inner Ally’s newest additions: Steve Suess on lead guitar, and Chris Potts on bass. A noticeable improvement, Suess’ skillful guitar riffs add extra intensity into the track, while Potts’ bass is professional. We hear Katherine Grenier’s alto voice more clearly than in the previous recording, which harmonizes well with Kathy Patek’s sweet soprano sound. Steve Nelson’s drumming is consistent and polished as in the previous recording from EP 1.   It all comes together beautifully, and breathes new life into this familiar Inner Ally tune, causing this listener to fall in love with this old favorite all over again. 

The album’s second track, Are You Able, is the quintessential Inner Ally song, showcasing the band’s talents in all areas: thought provoking lyrics, glorious harmonies, varied musical bridges, and catchy guitar riffs. Patek said he was inspired to write the lyrics while watching a news clip on Black Friday of bargain shoppers trampling each other at a Walmart doorbuster, desperate to find the only item that could bring them lasting happiness and fulfillment: another big screen television. Frank questions if he and the rest of us are able to find happiness in something better. The answer is unequivocally “yes” after listening to this musical delight. Patek’s and Grenier’s vocals are both polished and powerful, and Suess’ guitar riffs are as melodic as they are catchy. The harmonies of Kathy Patek and Grenier again work perfectly here.  This is Inner Ally at its very best, and nicely demonstrates the band’s talent and originality. 

Playin’ is also one of the strongest tracks on the album,  fully unleashing the band’s no-so-secret weapon: The powerhouse vocals of Katherine Grenier.  With bellowing vocal runs, Grenier doesn’t ask that you take Inner Ally seriously on this track- She demands it,  while adding emotion to otherwise playful lyrics. The lyrics tell the story of a lead singer in distress over not getting paid for performing at gigs, who soon realizes, with the help of her bandmate, that the joy of performing isn’t measured by the payment received (which means that fans won’t have to put up a Go Fund Me page to show their appreciation). Suess’ guitar skills and Potts’ bass give the song a jazzy feel that you’d expect to hear at a Greenwich village cafe in the 1970’s.  The layered harmonies and strong mixing make the song one of the most popular on the album with good reason.  It’s the kind of track that is soulful, jazzy and singable at the same time. 

Shine Through provides another life lesson from frontman and songwriter Frank Patek. While not as polished as Are You Able, this track is a substantial contribution to the album.  The song examines the difference between talk vs. action, and gets its message across skillfully, without coming across as preachy or judgmental, something to which songs of this genre commonly fall prey. Patek mixes in some contemporary sounds into this track, including  musical caesuras, alternating vocal volumes which later crescendo,and a voice processed bridge by Suess.   Nelson’s drums stand out in this track, as they provide the energy this song needs to make it a solid rock number. It’s both catchy and thought provoking, something which Inner Ally routinely does well. 

The next track, Make It Right, is a remix of the same track from EP 2. It’s a decent song with an uplifting message, but unfortunately the new version lacks some of the energy and excitement of the original. Perhaps it’s the lack of the keyboard solos here, or the scaled back background vocals,but the original comes across as more enjoyable. Just the same, listeners who haven’t heard the original will find it replayable, as it provides a memorable chorus, inspiring lyrics, and a powerful bass line masterfully employed by Potts. The guitar riffs are every bit as good on this version as on the original, and the percussion is solid. While not a bad addition to the album, it’s definitely not the strongest track. 

Hollywood, the album’s namesake, opens with refrain from Richard Whiting’s “Hooray for Hollywood,” but lyrically delves into a notably  darker side of Tinseltown that  tourists don’t usually see. A poignant ballad, this song demonstrates the band’s versatility and emotional heft. Patek’s vocals are superb as they convey the tragic story of a man who went to find his dreams in Los Angeles, only to find them shattered a few months later. Kathy Patek’s and Katherine Grenier’s vocal contributions to this song are scarce but still powerful. The star of Hollywood is the story and the melody. “All the world’s a movie set, and every day’s a sunny day, as you pretend that you’re a movie star, and throw your life away.” Somebody really hates Hollywood and everything it represents, and gets the message across loudly and clearly in this song.    Nelson’s drum beats contribute nicely to this track, making it a bonafide rock ballad instead of a depressing delve into personal despair. The outro again uses Whiting’s “Hooray for Hollywood” to emphasize the irony of the City of Angels.  Inner Ally’s antithesis to  “California Dreamin'” is the perfect ending of side 1.    

Baby You and Me is an unapologetic and  lighthearted pop rock opener to side 2 . The catchy tune is infectious, and if it were a 45 (remember those?) and the listener were a teenager, the grooves on that 45 would be worn out in a matter of days, as it’s the kind of earworm one wants to hear again and again. A love song with beautifully layered vocal arrangements in four part harmonies executed by Mr. and Mrs. Patek, Grenier, and Suess, this track is popular at live performances due to it’s danceability. The song’s bridges, carried by Nelson’s drumming and Suess’ guitar,keep the listener engaged between the infectious choruses, and Potts’ base provides a steady backbone. The song ends with a heavy metal lick by Suess, helping the listener to remember that Inner Ally is a legitimate rock band just being playful in this entertaining bubblegum potential single. 

The next track, The Light, again showcases Grenier’s euphonious vocal prowess, while providing inspirational lyrics in the manner to which fans have grown accustomed with Inner Ally.  Patek says that the song is about his personal journey of transformation from addiction to spirituality, but the concept of “coming to the light” is universal and can inspire anyone on their life’s journey.  The lyrics offer  the bold and direct encouraging simplicity unique to Patek’s songwriting, which fans have grown to know and love.  Songstress Grenier’s deep, rich vocal bellowing urges the listener to heed Patek’s advice, while Suess’ guitar, Potts’ bass and Nelson’s percussion back her up musically, rounded out by Mrs. Patek’s background harmonies.  The song is a gem, and one of Inner Ally’s best.

Whenever a band takes a shot at a new genre of music, one of two things can happen: It either ends in disaster or the listener thinks “Why didn’t they try this sooner?”  On All I Need, the ninth  track, the latter occurs, as the sextet proves themselves a natural fit for crossover country pop. Reminiscent of Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s “Islands in the Stream,” this song is a lovely duet between Patek and Grenier. Backed up by a twangy guitar riff by Suess, this song takes Inner Ally outside of the confines of their usual sound for an enjoyable musical experience overall.  It’s always refreshing when a band surprises fans by stepping outside of the predictable, which definitely happens here (and again happens on a later track on the album).

You’ve Got a Life and Kathy’s Song 20 are two carryovers from EP 2, featuring new remixing and remastering, giving a more polished sound to both. You’ve Got a Life provides another inspiring message of hope, with congenial 50’s doo-wop background vocal arrangements, while Kathy’s Song is a charming anecdote about how lead singer Frank Patek met his wife Kathy, also in the band. Both come off as sincere and both are backed up nicely by musicians Potts, Nelson and Suess. 

The journey through Hollywood finishes with fireworks, as the final track, Will of Survival,  is an authentic heavy metal rocker with a definite edge. Suess’ dirty guitar riffs and ear splitting licks set the tone for Patek and Grenier’s rocking vocals. It’s impressive as the band again steps outside of it’s comfort zone into a new genre, and does it exceedingly well, with Potts’ bass and Nelson’s drums adding to the intensity- a suitable ending for a powerful album overall. 

The emotional highs and lows, the combination of inspiring messages, stunning vocal arrangements, polished production quality and solid performances by the band’s musicians make the trip to Hollywood a satisfying voyage that fans of virtually any genre of music can enjoy. The addition of new band members Suess and Potts makes the band’s sound come together nicely. Inner Ally has hit it’s stride in Hollywood,  and proves that they are not just the classic rock cover band with which audiences are familiar. The versatility of the songs, ranging from country, pop, ballads and heavy metal prove that the band can tackle just about anything, similar to a band like Fleetwood Mac in the 70’s.  Inner Ally has arrived and is ready for it’s close up in Hollywood, and proves that they have the potential to be rising stars on the national and international stage. There’s no political or social agenda here, just good music.  It’s worth purchasing the old fashioned CD instead of just the digital version if you can find one, as the album’s packaging and artwork is colorful, thematic and visually interesting, adding to the overall experience.  It’s well worth the modest price of $9.99. I look forward to hearing more of this up and coming musical ensemble.