Bullyheart is the brainchild of Holly Long; the songstress has been busy crafting five albums in 10 years primarily as a solo artist. Trained first as a pianist, Long’s impetus into music followed a near death experience with a heart infection, so it seems appropriate she takes a very thoughtful approach to her art. This time around as Bullyheart, she’s aligned with David Boucher and Kevin Harp for a rich and varied trip through several genres and decades of rock ‘n’ roll.
Title track “Antigravity” gets right to the action with punchy guitar work and Long’s vivid voice that resembles Liz Phair and Chrissie Hynde. The song is soulful, upbeat and involves some aspect of alt-rock, though it’s not easily identifiable. “Thin Air” follows and is a bit more subdued in a folk-like fashion, before the Americana influenced and minor twang of “No Pleasing You,”’ which is a breezy, warm rocker with a chorus deserved to be played loud. “How Was I To Know” shifts gears and is a darker tune, where Long’s voice is center stage and shows impressive range and displays an emotional rock side ready for the radio. “Lost My Nerve” isn’t too far off from this with a more hypnotic approach that even brings in keyboards.
The second half is a bit more energized with the swift rocker “Panic Attack,” which is three minutes of punk influenced rock, before the contemplative and moody “The Pendulum.” “Shaken” is another more Americana influenced and thoughtful track and pairs well with “There Goes My Man,” which is one of the fullest and best songs here. The album closer, “Stay” is an acoustic ballad and that sounds live and complements the pensive and articulate listen well.
It’s difficult not to think of the aforementioned Phair and Hynde when listening to this album, though other legends like Tori Amos or even Blondie come to mind, too. For fans of rich and ’80s influenced rock, Bullyheart is worth a spin.
