Scott Van Zen
By Mike O’Cull
Left-handed blues/rock guitar authority Scott Van Zen makes the fur fly as only he can on his new EP Trouble. Coming out October 22nd, 2021 on Love Conquered Records, the record gives fans six original songs that hips them to the fact that Van Zen is as talented a singer-songwriter as he is a guitar man. His extra-tasty old school-new school playing style sits quite nicely against his lyrics, structures, and tales from the dark side. It’s a combination that’s less common than you’d think but Van Zen has a fine manner with both sides of this often-difficult equation. His way with words and snarling lead tones make this one of this Fall’s best new releases. His last release, No Words, was released June 2019.
Scott Van Zen is a driven, high-output musician who has worked at the industry’s top levels for a long time. He has co-written hit songs for eternal rock legends Kiss, won a Dove Award with Christian rocker Ken Tamplin, and burned up the road with former Bad Company singer Brian Howe. He has also placed more than 1000 songs in film and television. You’ve heard Van Zen in hit movies including Cars and The Green Hornet and in commercials and shows for huge clients like McDonald’s, ESPN, Fox Sports, and CBS. He’s also a successful online guitar teacher with a great reputation. He should be a lot more famous than he is but those who have heard it feel that this new solo EP is going to remedy that situation.
Van Zen starts ripping licks right away to kick off his opening cut “In A World Gone Crazy.” He has a different guitar vocabulary than most in the blues/rock sphere and an often-slippery feel to his lines that will keep you hanging on every measure. The song tells a story of the outsider life of a musician doing his best to make sense of this insane life through the act of creation. It has a tight pocket and a ragged Americana feel that both contribute to its tough rock sound. Van Zen is a highly-listenable low-toned singer with an earthy sound and the ability to steer a song in the proper direction. He gets all of this one and sends it flying from one end to the other.
“Who’s Your Devil” goes deeper into Van Zen’s blues side, setting up a lowdown, swampy boogie groove that eventually builds into a punching, mid-speed rock groove. Scott is all vibe, vocals, and tone here and delivers the track’s obvious message with style. He sings with the drama of a born storyteller and will pull you into his world if you let him.
Van Zen’s title track “Trouble” is another epic adventure through American music and one of the best songs of his career. From the banjo and guitar country blues intro and chant-like vocal hook and personally apocalyptic lyrics to the heavy, Zeppelin-influenced chorus, this one puts it all together. His lead playing on it is blazing and righteous, giving the track the kick it needs to stand up and be somebody. Music people are going to flip when this one drops, guaranteed.
“All Gassed Up” heads back out onto the road and lets Van Zen take on the sort of cinematic blues/rock perfected by Texas heroes ZZ Top. His take on this sound is turbocharged by his unlimited guitar chops and his tone practically roars at you. He melds Billy Gibbons’ longhorn coolness with post-Van Halen energy in an incredibly entertaining way that’s going to snare new fans daily once this record hits the streets. Scott Van Zen is someone who needs to become familiar to every guitar fan out there because he’s flat-out getting it done. His mix of hot playing and memorable songs deserves to be heard. Put Trouble on loud and treat yourself.
Listen to “In A World Gone Crazy”
Awesome Scott. You have a lot of new fans where I’m employed at I show them your stuff and they like it.
WHAT AN AWESOME REVIEW YOUR TALENT IS INSPIRING YOUR AMAZING DON’T EVER FORGET THAT ☆☆☆☆☆
Scotty it’s cousin Bill how are you doing?
Your music is awesome!