Aaron Williams & the Hoodoo - It Ain't Easy - Self Released 2009

Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo: you may or may not have heard of them, but you are definitely going to want to sit up and take notice because they are forging ahead with Blues Rock for a new generation with their debut album, It Ain't Easy.

The Madison, Wisconsin based trio consists of frontman and guitar slinger Aaron Williams, a bass player simply known as "Z," and drummer Eric Shackelford; a group of musicians firm in their desire to make their living with their instruments. The 11-song disc starts off with the rocking "Hypnotize" and keeps the gears turning from there on out, until it closes with "Lil' Old Lady," another rocker.

Williams waxes acoustic on "Livin' On Love," one of the standout tracks on It Ain't Easy. The title cut is a fun song that I was quickly attracted to, as well, and provides a great example of the kind of new Blues Aaron Williams & the Hoodoo bring to the table. It's certainly not traditional Blues in most senses, but it isn't wolf in sheep's clothing Rock attempting to pass itself off as Blues, either; and that's what I appreciate about this band. They tow the line with confidence, and have the sound and skill to bring a younger audience to the genre.

Most of the songs on the record are medium to fast paced tunes like "Drinking Blues." And it's songs like that, the straightforward Blues of "Hotel Or Motel," and rocking tunes like "It Ain't Easy" that will surely have listeners on their feet and dancing along. "Porterhouse 650" is a funny, grooving story song about one of the band's "experiences" on the road in Louisville, Kentucky.

Williams has stated "we weren't trying to make a radio record," but the tunes on It Ain't Easy will certainly be emanating from radio speakers as the album begins to gain steam in Blues circles. The band obviously knows each other very well, and that close knit relationship translates into their playing.

It's like I mentioned at the outset, Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo are playing a new Blues, and it's certainly a fresh and welcome addition to my personal rotation.

Standout Tracks: "It Ain't Easy," "Livin' On Love," and "No Time For Love"

Preview and purchase songs from the album It Ain't Easy by Aaron Williams & the Hoodoo.