2016 – Lucas Haneman
Express
By Phillip Smith;
Mar. 04,
2017
Tearing up the Rails, the sophomore release from Ottawa, Ontario-based Lucas Haneman Express is a savory fourteen track platter of blues-rock with a slightly southern flavor. Heading up the band is singer/songwriter/guitarist Lucas Haneman, who received the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award at the 2005 Ottawa International Jazz Festival. Accompanying Haneman to round out the quartet is vocalist Megan Laurence, drummer Jeff Asselin, and bassist Martin Newman.
Steve Marriner
from MonkeyJunk, lends his harmonica
prowess to “The Verdict”. This track oozes
with swampy bluesy goodness as Marriner
and Haneman go toe to toe. Marriner also appears, harp in hand on Brian Adam’s “Run to You”, another
terrific track. It sounds so different recorded as a blues song. There’s no rest for the wicked, when the band breaks
into Steppenwolf’s psychedelic hit “Magic
Carpet Ride”. Leaving a smoking trail of
rubber on the track, they take this one on going full throttle. Haneman’s searing hot guitar makes for a
standout performance. I love the relaxed
Steely Dan vibe Haneman brings to “Waiting at Your Door” with his smooth jazz
approach. “Storybook Love” is plumb mighty too, boasting soulful vocals from Haneman, who guides the song from a slow
southern sway into a ferocious intensity.
Tearing up the Rails is a well-crafted album of poignant lyrics, rich melodies and tight
performances. It’s a great album to sink
ones teeth into. It has definitely sunk
its teeth into me.
