Ionia Moral Hazard
by Deb Rao
Staff Writer
Every once in a while it is so inspiring to come across a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by the masses. IONIA is a five-piece band that hails from the New York City area and gearing up for release of their full length 9-track CD, entitled Moral Hazard. Singer Blaise Beyhan writes some of the most catchy and compelling lyrics on Ionia’s debut that deal with the cosmos, earth, love gone bad and everyday life.
Opening track “Mutiny” sets the mode for the album with its upbeat guitar riffs and driving vocals and lyrics of dealing with finding yourself in the big city. Tracks 2 and 3 “Water Will Not Do” and “Point Of No Return” unleash spartan guitar riffs surrounded by the ever-so-passionate and melodic vocals of Blaise Beyhan.
Surefire hit is the ballad, “Gasoline Rainbow.” Blaise sings about the pain of love intertwined with the beauty of nature and the calm after the storm. This song is very poignant and makes you stop and listen with its acoustic guitar and hard broken lyrics. As IONIA hails from NYC, “Winning Is Everything” comes into play. We are all taught at a young age that it is better to win than lose and living in the Big Apple reiterates this theory.
Other highlights are the song “Rewind” which is very dark and the ballad “Loneliness Will Not Be Televised.” We have all been there done that sitting in front of the Television set eating a pint of Butter Pecan ice cream. Well, this ballad captures all of the raw pain of love gone wrong.
The CD ends on a country twang with “Excuses Excuses.” This would have made a great Johnny Cash song. You have to hear the vibe of the song to get the full meaning of the song.
IONIA reminds of a cross between The Used and Echo And The Bunnymen, riding high on passionate melodic vocals and driving guitar riffs that are not afraid to slow it down for moody and compelling ballads that touch your soul.
Online: www.myspace.com/ionia
Tracklist:
1. Mutiny
2. Water Will Not Do
3. Point of No Return
4. Gasoline Rainbow
5. Winning Is Everything
6. Rewind
7. Loneliness Will Not Be Televised
8. The Consequences or Consciousness
9. Excuses Excuses
Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10