Robin McAuley – Alive
Robin McAuley – Alive
Frontiers Music srl
Release Date: 17/02/23
Running Time: 44:13
Review by Paul Hutchings
8/10
I was never that keen on Robin McAuley until he stepped into the breach at Steelhouse Festival last year with Michael Schenker and proved that I’m a real tool sometimes. The man has a magnificent voice and was a wonderful entertainer. Determined to make amends, I’m pleased to say that his new solo album “Alive” is just as stirring as that Sunday night up the mountain. 44 minutes of sumptuous hard rock drenched in glorious melodies and his superb singing make this an album that should be on your list.
Backed by a returning band of musicians in guitarist Andrea Seveso, bassist/keyboardist Alessandro Del Vecchio (who also produces) and drummer Nicholas Papapicco, the 11 tracks on offer are all rammed full of sharp playing, hooks, and harmonies, and comes with high production quality. From the opening title track, there is plenty of opportunity to pump that fist in the air to the anthems that emerge. ‘Bless Me Father’, ‘Feel Like Hell’ and ‘Can’t Go On’ come stuffed with exceptional guitar work and a hard rock edge that may not always be associated with McAuley.
It’s evident that the work with Schenker and the supergroup Black Swan has fired McAuley up, as this album is stuffed full of absolute singalong anthems. You can’t go wrong with tracks like ‘My Only Son’ or ‘When the Time Has Come’, both sweetly crafted yet both total earworms that linger in the memory for ages.
Of course, McAuley’s pedigree is second to none. He’s sung with Grand Prix, Far Corporation, and Survivor as well as several stints with the mad axeman. “Alive” is a glorious exhibition of his continued prowess. It’s impossible not to admire such a performance in an artist who, like it or not, is approaching veteran status at speed. There isn’t a duff track on this album and if you enjoy sweetly crafted melodic rock with a steely underbelly, I highly recommend getting hold of this album. It’s simply brilliant.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Alive
02. Dead As a Bone
03. Bless Me Father
04. Feel Like Hell
05. Can’t Go On
06. The Endless Mile
07. Fading Away
08. My Only Son
09. When The Time Has Come
10. Stronger Than Before
11, Who I Am
LINE-UP:
Robin McAuley – vocals
Andrea Seveso – guitars
Alessandro Del Vecchio – bass, keyboards
Nicholas Papapicco – drums
LINKS:
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