Auckland musician Rob Vazey brings his classic rock and roll vision to life with this debut album from The Vazey Collective.

‘TVC’ is made up of 10 original songs written and recorded in Studio 38 between 2016-2018. The project was spearheaded by songwriter/producer Rob Vazey and guitarist Davey Mac, who recruited an impressively large ensemble of like-minded and experienced musicians to see their debut effort through. The result is a  deliberately classic, vocal-focused rock sound, with the odd touch of country included for good measure.

Opening track Dreamers lays down the foundation of what is to be expected for much of the album – a steady groove topped with a heavy dose of lead guitar, as well as singer Anthony Pickard‘s full-voiced Pearl Jam-like vocals. Production-wise the collective do a good job of emulating the clear and commercially appealing sounds of ’70s and ’80s rock, while allowing for loud and grungy moments to cut through and reveal some later influences. 

Coming after the seven-minute opus Home, Honey offers a welcome change in feel around the midway point of the record with a strong performance from guest vocalist Kerena West, as well as the relieving addition of a more urgent poppy beat. It’s a short lived change up though, the sound quickly returning to the familiar grand rock formula (think Cold Chisel) for most of the album’s remaining 20 minutes.

‘TVC’ is an album that unashamedly sticks to its guns. It is no secret that The Vazey Collective know what they like and like what they know. In this well-recorded debut they have produced a collection of songs sure to please like-minded old school rockers out there.