Alex Lopez continues writing and recording at a near torrential rate. His sixth album with the Xpress, Nasty Crime, maintains the same high standard of songwriting and musicianship that has defined his work from the outset. The former has experienced exponential growth since Lopez’s debut and Nasty Crime highlights his songwriting prowess as much as his guitar skills. He embraces the blues-rock mantle without reservation, but nothing about Lopez’s songs sounds like butterflies trapped under glass. Blues, in his hands, is a relevant and vital vehicle rather than an opportunity to pay tribute to the past.
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“World on Fire” opens Nasty Crime on an emphatic note. The wrecking ball drums beginning the track knock down any resistance you may have for letting Lopez’s blues-rock muscle carry you away. It isn’t all strum and drang, however, as Lopez colors it with a vibrant organ presence further buttressing the track. Listeners focusing on his guitar pyrotechnics may miss the strong vocal arrangements present throughout Nasty Crime. It’s a facet of Lopez’s presentation that has developed tremendously over his past albums and now ranks among his greatest strengths.
The organ continues making its presence felt during “Just Wait”. The rhythms of the track and guitar are different from the opener, there’s certainly a much stronger funk vibe present in the cut, but it remains well within the blues-rock wheelhouse that Lopez knows well. The album’s third track “I Don’t Care” breaks with the one-two punch of organ and guitar defining the first two tracks. It doesn’t abandon, however, the guitar dominant thrust of Lopez’s songwriting and, relying more on his six-string, has a tougher sensibility than its predecessors.
Organ is prevalent again during “See the Light” but Lopez pairs it with a much lighter touch than before. The jangle powering much of this tune is a welcome shift in gears for the album and the aforementioned organ playing provides many colorful flashes. Lopez lightens his vocal approach, as well, without ever diluting the impact of his voice. “The First Time” is one of Nasty Crime’s most intimate moments. The song’s success or failure rests on Lopez’s shoulders as never before during this acoustic track and he carries the day as much with his vocals as he does with his guitar work.
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The title song is a revved-up funk blues with oodles of conviction setting fire to every line. His slashing riffing throughout the song draws blood from listeners without ever overwhelming us; there’s nothing heavy-footed about his musical treatment. He attacks the song lyrics with unbridled zeal. Nasty Crime’s penultimate tune “Hooked” is a warm and slightly woozy jazzy jaunt with an appropriately inviting Lopez vocal. It may seem like a throwaway to some listeners, but others will be impressed with Lopez’s stylistic dexterity.
The Cleveland, Ohio born blues rocker is keeping the faith and we’re rewarded for it. He’s rewarded as well, probably more than we can imagine, by helping carry the torch forward for a musical style that’s undoubtedly brought great joy into his life. The latest expression of that joy, in all its complications, is the album Nasty Crime and it’s highly recommended.
Chadwick Easton