Aj Wachtel Review

of Retro Active

Interesting.

Here's the third of my 6 CD reviews for this month.

GREG PAQUETTE

'Retro Active'

10 Tracks

Greg played guitar and sang in the '80's Boston pop rock band Option One, and now continues to make music down in North Carolina. He also plays bass on this release. His son, professional hip-hop producer Chris, does the synth and drum programming; with Joey Hovey pounding live. Rachel Frank adds her vocals to the mix on a few of the tracks also.

The songs are mostly ballads and the music mainly Americana; with Greg finger-picking his way through the measures. I dig the opening cut country-rocker 'Doing Something Right,' the twangy guitar riffs in 'Crazy To Be Here,' the way Paquette and Rachel trade verses singing in 'Coming Back For More,' and 'The One I Fell In Love With.' I really like the 'heaviness' of 'Members Only;' and I really dig the rocker 'Pick Yourself Up' with the great harmonies too. A lot of the ballads have that 'front porch feel;' where the easy, calm vibe matches the one you'd get sitting outside at a campfire singing. They include: 'Paradise,' and 'Crazy Friends.' Greg told me: 'This album is about songwriting and my love of guitars. We spent more time getting great guitar sounds than recording. I hope it's evident.'

Great songs. Great sound. Great playing. Check it out!