Joseph Pagano has been creating music for the last few years, with his second EP Time and Colors being released in 2015. On Joseph Pagano’s current single More Friends in Heaven (Than in Hell), hints of 1960s and 1970s rock, punk, and alternative country can all be discerned. The dynamic between the guitar and Pagano’s voice establishes a quick tempo for the single. A whistle-heavy intermission provides a further boost to this momentum. The production of More Friends in Heaven (Than in Hell) is stellar, allowing each distinct element to shine alone or as part of a greater unit. One will be impressed by the amount of twists and turns that are presented here, as the other elements – punchy percussion and a thick, ropy bass line – will require additional spins to understand alongside the other, more dominant elements.
Fans will be able to single along with the track after a few listens. The subtle (and not so subtle) nods to punk and the grittier rock of acts like Jackyl and The White Stripes by Pagano provides More Friends in Heaven with a proper pedigree. At all points, there is a unique style that plays alongside each guitar riff, drum hit, and complementary bass line.
There is just so much charisma that bubbles through from the beginning note of More Friends in Heaven (Than in Hell) until the song’s final gasps. I feel that Pagano is able to do tick every box with this single, while whetting listeners’ appetites until they can delve in deeper to Joseph’s discography. Give Pagano’s ReverbNation a spin if you would like to see the range present in Pagano’s performances.
Rating: 8.3/10
Joseph Pagano – More Friends in Heaven (Than in Hell) / 2017 Self Released / 2:45 / https://www.reverbnation.com/josephpagano/