Photo courtesy of Prospect Public Relations

There was one thing missing from our recent story about extraordinary Transylvania-to-Orlando blues guitarist Alex Kilroy: an album review, his debut album, in fact. So, we thought we’d put that right.

Artist Influences

To start, we need to give a big nod to Stevie Ray Vaughan. The Texas-born bluesman inspired many a musician in his day, but it was several years after his death that he added a Romanian guitarist to his A-list of devoted followers. Kilroy arrived in the U.S. a few years ago as a direct result of hearing Vaughan play, and he has soaked up a wealth of additional influences ever since, absorbing them into his own style that is part blues, part country, and part R & B, but all musical virtuosity, a hybrid for the ages.

Packed into 12 tracks that fully illustrate Kilroy’s ability to absorb various musical styles and give them his own particular spin, Break My Chains is a harmonious odyssey that richly rewards those willing to believe that crossing the bounds of different genres can result in a new interpretation of them all.

Along the way, there are echoes of Paul Weller, George Michael, Robert Cray, Gary Moore, and George Benson, and even another Stevie, by the name of Wonder. All these micro-influences swirl around in a melodic mix that deserves to be taken track by track.

 Album Track by Track

First up, “Standing Tall” is a scene-setting opener that immediately throws some Wonder-esque funk into the mix, adds gospel-like backing vocals, and stirs them into a heady brew, instantly demonstrating Kilroy’s extraordinary ear for melody in a crisp, almost poppy rendition. Vocals are unfailingly clear and precise, with a smoothness that is more Luther Vandross than B.B. King. And, right up front, the guitar licks are sharp and purposeful, indicative of a light-fingered fretboard rascal coming into his own.

Title track “Break My Chains” shifts gears into a more country rock vibe, with shades of Linda “You’re No Good” Ronstadt that could definitely make this a single down the line. Here, the guitar break takes on more urgency, muscling its way into the foreground. “I’ll keep on driving, come what may,” Kilroy intones, and we can definitely take him at his word.

Not content with his first half-dozen influences, Kilroy adds a rocking edge to “Answer U.S.A.,” where those flawless vocals take center stage. “Are you ready for it?” asks the gospel chorus, and the answer is a resounding “Yes!” as another blistering guitar solo lets rip with increasing poise and purpose.

“Angel” could easily be the song Michael Jackson never recorded in collaboration with George Benson, a cruisin’, toe-tappin’ delight that takes off with another Kilroy guitar burst that could turn you diabetic with its sweetness. It’s another single-in-waiting, for sure, especially as it introduces Kilroy’s partner/co-writer Sophia Medina on vocals, underlining yet another string to their collective bow.