Austin Sound

A band with a history of getting pigeonholed by names, Amplified Heat began its days under a very different moniker: the Blues Connection. After seeing that many showgoers expected a more traditional blues act, and predicting the rock and roll direction of the band, the three brothers agreed a name change was in order. With How Do You Like the Sound of That?, the third release by Austin’s booze-n’-blues powerhouse, the band once again changes up the mix. One can’t help but expect more of the fast, hard energy envisioned by the Brothers Ortiz those many years ago, but instead the 11 track album ambles along to a more traditional - and more personal - blues sound.

While other bands often take the time to build to an impressive climax, Austin’s own Amplified Heat cuts out the middleman, inducing a coronary upon the listener from the get-go. Within seconds of hitting play on the aptly named “Heart Attack,” the first track of their reissued self-titled debut, one thing is made very clear—if you can’t take the Heat, get out of the kitchen.

Taking standard fare blues-influenced classic rock and kicking it up so many notches that Emeril Lagasse himself would scoff, this seven track release sets the baseline from which this band’s future career should be measured. A freshman album that sounds more like a senior thesis, the EP quickly advances from the grindfest of “Heart Attack” to the more swinging and bluesy “I Don’t Care.” Jim Ortiz’ gruff vocals relate a story of (somewhat happily) lost love in general blues/rock fashion, but with an intensity that makes even the most teetotaling listener want to grab a drink to take the edge off. Gian’s colorful bass fills add complexity and subtlety to the otherwise simplistic song design, but still work to hold down the low end modestly enough. The frenetic “Bi-Polar” allows Chris’ drumwork to shine, and illustrates his impressive stamina and energy that lends much to the band’s signature style.