Michael Cosyn Group – Burn the Earth (featuring Paul Shortino) 
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Rating: B+

If Robin Trower were to open a school of blues rock, Michael Cosyn would graduate valedictorian.  Michael Cosyn is a major player, and his debut album needs to be heard to be believed.  The Michael Cosyn Group, Burn the Earth (featuring Paul Shortino), is a blistering 9 song smoldering blues rock opus. 

Michael Cosyn is clearly influenced by many of the major blues rock and Stratocaster players from the ‘70s. Robin Trower, Pat Travers, Rory Gallagher (just to name a few) sound like they made an influence on this album.  I’m not taking anything away from Cosyn with that being said, as all these songs are original compositions -and quite a few are outstanding.

The album also features the vocal talents of Paul Shortino.  To quote Joe Perry “Once a Rocker, Always a Rocker”; that is Paul Shortino.  The hard rocking singer from Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot, and more recently King Kobra plus a stint in the show ‘Raiding the Rock Vault’ in Vegas, provides his perfectly warm weathered chops to this album. 

The album opens with the heavy blues rocker title track, “Burn The Earth”. Paul’s raspy vocals add to the already gritty groove.  “River Runs Dry” and “Angel’s Wings” follow suit and keep the jam going.  Paul moves out of the way for Michael on vocals for “Blind Man,” a blues jam that shows Michael not only can play guitar but is a pretty darn good singer as well.  Track five, “Rescue”, is one of my two favorite songs.  Michael proudly wearing his Trower influence on this track, and Paul Shortino even evoking a bit of James Dewar on the vocals.  The songs continue on, and again, each song keeps the blues rock pace.  The last song, “Lying Eyes”, is the best song on the album.  Paul and Michael lock into it, a hypnotic groove, only to explode for a blistering guitar solo mid song, and then slow down again to a mesmerizing end. Hit repeat as often as necessary.

The Michael Cosyn Group has delivered the goods on their debut. Strong songwriting, both musically and lyrically, and the guitar playing is just red hot. Enlisting Paul Shortino on vocals proved aces, and hopefully this partnership can continue in the future.

Track Listing:
Burn the Earth
River Runs Dry
Angel’s Wing
Blind Man
Rescue
Freedom Cries
Heart on the Line
Save  Me
Lying Eyes

By Dan Toner