Runaway 'easy listening' with edge

In the past 18 months singer/songwriter Brad Kells rediscovered his mojo during the recording of Runaway, a nine-track CD he likens to prairie rock.

“It’s rock, easy listening with an edge. You can compare it to Eddie Vedder, Tom Petty or The Tragically Hip,” says the former vocalist for the local rock-funk band Apache Rose.

Kells is hosting the official CD release party at The Haven Social Club on Saturday, July 24. Accompanying him are some of the most technically proficient musicians around — Jamie Cooper (drums), Dan Churchill (bass) and Peter Belec (guitar).

Produced by Stu Kirkwood at Edmonton’s Sound Extractor, the three-month recording process was laborious but also a total adrenalin rush. “We really wanted to take our time with the tonality of the guitar. We wanted to take the time to find the right sound.”

More commercial than his songwriting for Apache Rose, Runaway is designed to appeal to a broad listening audience. “There are some alternative ballads and some have rock. Some songs even have a country twist and there is older rock, too.”

Kells wrote the title track Runaway while doing some soul searching. This alternative ballad emits an ethereal, mysterious quality as the instruments come in one at a time before it explodes into a chorus.

Doing a 180-degree turn, Boys Got Groove sizzles as a bootie shaker. “It’s got interesting dynamics with guitar and keyboards.”

The cool guitar riffs opening Cold Society are in sharp contrast to the angry message. “We all need to step up and be accountable for the state the world is in. There’s too many people sloughing it off, putting things to the side and not putting effort into things.”

This is a no-holds-barred album and Kells has faith it has the power to hit the airwaves. “The CD is catchy, well produced and straightforward. I’m proud of it and I hope people will like it as much as I do.”

For a sampling of Runaway visit www.bradkellsmusic.com.