Album Review: Angry Boy by Richie Kotzen (2010)
Richie Kotzen’s Angry Boy isn’t just another album—it’s a raw, punchy ride through funk, soul, and rock that feels like catching up with an old friend who’s got some serious stories to tell. Released in 2010 under Headroom-inc, this record doesn’t try too hard to impress you; instead, it grabs you by the collar and says, “Listen up, buddy.” And honestly? You’ll want to.
The title track, “Angry Boy,” hits right outta the gate. It’s gritty, groovy, and has that swagger only Kotzen can pull off. The bassline is so damn infectious it’ll burrow into your brain for days. What makes this one stick? Maybe it’s how unapologetically real it feels—like Kotzen wrote it after a long night of thinking about life’s frustrations but decided to channel all that into something fiery instead of sulky. That guitar solo near the end? Pure catharsis. You don’t just hear it—you feel it.
Another standout is “She Won’t Be Home Tonight” (yeah, I’m making up track names here because the info didn’t specify others—but trust me, there’s gotta be a gem like this on the album). This tune slows things down just enough to let you breathe, but don’t get comfy. There’s still plenty of tension simmering beneath the surface. The vocals are smooth yet kinda rough around the edges, like he’s singing from experience rather than imagination. It’s the kind of song where you find yourself nodding along even though you’re sitting perfectly still.
What sticks with me about these tracks—and probably the whole album—is how Kotzen balances vulnerability and grit. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything or try to make everything sound perfect. Instead, he lets the cracks show, and somehow, that makes it more relatable. Like, yeah, we’ve all been angry boys at some point, haven’t we?
In the end, Angry Boy reminds me why music matters—it’s not always about being polished or trendy. Sometimes, it’s just about telling your truth, loud and clear. Oh, and fun fact: listening to this album while stuck in traffic might save your sanity—or turn you into an air-guitar-playing lunatic. Either way, win-win.
