Aaron Rizzo
“Blck Tee Shirt”
Self-released
Aaron Rizzo tears into “Gasoline,” the opening track of “Blck Tee Shirt,” with a guitar that burns hot and brilliant — like Mason Rufner’s “Gypsy Blood.” While the next track, “3 AM,” is a bold move in its reserve and mellow frankness, the energy doesn’t let up. Rather it’s drawn back inside and let out bit by bit in little fragments of exhaled blue-eyed soul.
Rizzo’s track “Jericho” comes careening in with the guitar set at full-slither. The lyrics are a tad cliché here and there, what with the talk of sin and preachers and whatnot, but the guitar … well, Jesus, it just fucking rocks. “Just One Glass” comes in along with “Tangerine,” showcasing more of the man’s slow-burn soul and pristine six-string attack. Soul and jazzy finger style abound. Still on “Blck Tee Shirt,” and inside Rizzo, beats the heart of a rocker.
This article appears in Aug 9-15, 2017.
