Delta Deep - S/T (Mailboat Records)

DELTA DEEP is the new project of Phil Collen of Def Leppard, with all-star support from Rob DeLeo, bassist for Stone Temple Pilots, Forest Robinson, drummer for groups including TLC, and singer Debbi Blackwell-Cook, who has sung backup for the likes of Michael Buble. DELTA DEEP is Collen’s mission to bring Blues music closer to its roots, and although the music feels newer and modern, it’s raw and emotionally powerful, and the lyrics remain tried and true to Blues’ origins. Blackwell-Cook’s vocals are impassioned, and bring a gritty realness to the band, that only elevates the authenticity of what they preach.

The album begins with the roar of Led Zeppelin -like guitars on “Bang the Lid,” and the intensity rarely simmers down throughout the rest of its duration. Only on jazzier diversions like “Whiskey” or “Treat Her Like Candy” do things quiet down a bit, but the same amount of sweaty, high-voltage energy never dies. Collen proves his hard rock credentials consistently on the album, and its best moments are songs like “Miss Me” or “Shuffle Sweet” when he channels the spirit of Jimi Hendrix and the music is at is heaviest. It’s hard to say if DELTA DEEP has truly brought Blues back to where it needs to be, but they certainly make a compelling argument—an argument so in your face and charmingly relentless, it doesn’t matter if you agree or not.