Joshua Lee Ellis better known as Sketch Ellis is one heck of a musician. The man grew up in a small town called Jasper, GA but the itch for stardom took him to California where he made a name for himself with bands such as MISS CRAZY, JAGGEDY ANN, GOLDY ROXX, and others. Ellis stepped out on his own in 2008 releasing a demo named Circus of Freaks which was praised on CD Baby.

Even though Ellis released his first solo offering, Circus of Freaks, in 2008, we will be reviewing his 2009 release “Life Within A Dream”. The CD opens with an excellent intro, which most times I could care less about but since this CD is about Sketch’s experiences you have to get in the mindset. The instrumental intro is sensitive with a child-like sad feeling than is overcome with heavy-duty excitement feeling of accomplishment. Vocally Ellis has a Alice Cooper style and rocks the hell out of the first tune “Story of My Life”. I feel ya Sketch, the opening song has great power and I love the guitar riffs; a killer opening track!

Track two “All Night Long” keeps the flow going. Ellis’s raw emotions flows into the arena rock side and gives the vibe of GUNS N’ ROSES at times.

With a softer approach Ellis’s “11:11 (Make a Wish)” is a subtle ballad that can draw country fans to the rock world. Ellis’s vocals truly shine on the track and it’s nice to see the man behind the kit step out to show his true talents that have gone seemingly unnoticed in other bands beyond his drumming skills.

I loved “7 Days” which has a Lennon aura about it. It’s about the women and how they can break the guy’s heart and asking God what we should do. We all go through it and if you haven’t it will be coming. A cool sensitive ballad Sketch had a little trouble with the high registers vocally, but it works on this particular track.

One of my favorite tracks “All The Happy Times” gives a British flare and what’s great about the release it has tons of diversity from hard hitters, to soft ballads to kick ass, straight up rockers. Track to track you don’t know what you’re going to get next. Check out “Missing You Tonight” which has a sense of 4 NON BLONDES. This is probably my favorite track on “Life Within A Dream”. The song has all the right elements to shock the system; soft, hard, raw and a great track!!!

I feel this is a good advancement for Ellis; some killer tracks that you should check out. Can’t wait for the next release to see Ellis try to reach five stars on RockEyez.