For fans of Boston punk rock bands like Darkbuster or The Street Dogs, Illuminator is a long awaited triumph from Lenny Lashley. The record is grown-up and free of gimmicks. He has evolved. Gone are the days of Darkbuster's rowdy drinking songs or the outlaw tales of Lenny and the Piss Poor Boys. The songs range from downright heartbreaking to full of hope, from stripped down acoustic to plain old rock and roll.
Though it started as a solo project, Lenny recruited some of the best names in the business to play on the record. Illuminator features Pete Steinkopf on guitar and keys, and Bryan Keinlen on bass, both of whom play in the Bouncing Souls. Mighty Mighty Bosstones drummer Joe Sirois and Souls drummer Michael McDermott both contributed as well.
"At first I was doing a record with just me on guitar. Then me being the guy I am started adding here and there," Lashley told Boston.com.
Illuminator is available on iTunes or through Pirates Press Records right here. Check it out. It was worth the wait.