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Guitarist Mike Halland’s project Electric Aloha delivers impressive musicianship (all the guitar solos are rippin’) along with topical higher-consciousness rap-rock vocals that alternate with memorable choruses in a sweet and savory pop-rock style. Yes, it’s familiar––at times (on “Say Goodbye”) we’re reminded of Linkin Park, maybe even Rage. Most impressively, these songs make an emphatic plea for us all to do better. “We all gotta take a stand” the singer pleads in “Rise Up.” And the inspirational, anti-racist “Stand Up” has lyrics with terrific, eloquent turns of phrase. And did we say the guitar solos are always rippin’? While the rap-rock formula has been done before, Electric Aloha gives it new life.
