In 2017, three German rock icons joined forces to form Incredible Pack, dedicated to the blues. In 2020, the band decided to record their debut album, "Packed In Blue."
The very first notes of the first song, "DOA," indicate what to expect on the record. The initial guitar notes are accompanied by a rattle, creating a mood that transports the listener mentally to the vastness of Texas. This develops into a blues piece reminiscent of The Little Ol' Band. Martelle's rough, spoken-word vocal style, guitar riffs, and solos are stylistically reminiscent of ZZ Top. The dynamic song is supported by the toiling drummer Manni von Bohr and the bubbling bass played by Tony Spagone, who also form a strong rhythm section on the remaining songs, played to perfection.
The high standard of the opener is maintained throughout the rest of the album, and stylistically the rather rough blues rock made in Texas is the defining element. With the exception of a few cover songs, most of the material was written by Martelle, the band's frontman, who was also responsible for the production at Frankfurt's Jungle Studios. Only in the Bowie cover "Rebel Rebel", with its psychedelic intro and a first verse seemingly sung from beyond the grave, does the blues take a back seat, developing into a rockier version of the classic. With this album, Martelle, after a long career in German rock, including as an active member of the Jule Neigel Band, has returned to his true musical passion: blues rock.
The band's strong debut album concludes with the blues classic "Bullfrog Blues," which Martelle announces in the intro as a frequently covered song.
On the positive side, the interspersed cover songs are not meant to spice up the record, but rather to complement the original blues songs, where Martelle also shows his songwriting skills.
It will be interesting when the power trio can finally present the songs live, as the material offers a lot of scope for free musical development.
Blues and rock fans will enjoy this album, where three “oldies” with a lot of enthusiasm show that they are far from being old hat, and that blues made in Germany can also be of high quality!
(Text: Gernot Mangold)
01 DOA
02 I Wanna Know
03 Ain't Taking No Hit
04 Hooked On You
05 Loveblind
06 What's That Sound
07 Take It Out On Me
08 Alone In The Dark
09 Alligator
10 Endlessly Brighter Days
11 Rebel Rebel
12 Bullfrog Blues
