Revolution Saints – Revolution Saints .jpg)
Frontiers Records
https://www.facebook.com/RevolutionSaints
http://www.frontiers.it/news/10753/
Rating: A-
Frontiers Records has a knack for getting musicians to collaborate with each other (I think it’s called ‘green money’). We’re talking big names, with big talent, who walk the edge between melodic rock and the harder stuff.
The latest super group to come to life on the label features some true heavy hitters. On guitar is a guy who embodies everything that’s right about music—how often do you hear that in 2015? Doug Aldrich (Dio, Whitesnake) has it all—the looks, the talent, the sound, the groove, the huge riffs—to be a guitar god. On this album, he effortlessly slams out solo-after-solo, giving the album its searing soul. Enough good things cannot be said about this golden-haired guitar slinger (my god, I sound like I have a man-crush on him. I don’t… well maybe more like a bro-mance. But hey, I am married so you know…its all good. I wonder if he has a sister…?)
Joining Doug in the band are a couple of big names: Jack Blades (Night Ranger) gives the band the brains, while Deen Castronova (Journey) gives them their heart. Together, their unique combination comes out solid as hell. The songs are well written and performed, and the vocals are outstanding.
If there is one knock on this sucker—hey, I try to tell the good and the bad in my reviews—it is that, well... how do I say this without being crass, hmm… I will try this: This music sounds like Journey. I mean it sounds a LOT like Journey—good Journey not the Raised On Radio crap, more like Escape or Frontiers era Journey.
Sounding like Journey... is that such a bad thing ?
This release sounds so much like Journey that it not only incorporates Journey’s drummer, Castronovo -who, as luck would have it sounds a LOT like Steve Perry- it even has guest spots by… are you ready for this? TWO MEMBERS OF JOURNEY! Yes, Arnel Pineda sings “You’re Not Alone,” and Journey founding member, Neal Schon, plays on “Way to the Sun.”
Now, I am not saying Revolution Saints has set out to copy Journey. I don’t believe that to be the case. Nope, instead I think the listener (me, in this case) heard how much Deen sounded like Steve Perry and freaked out about it. Then, one can’t help but notice the guitars have the right sound and tone, and the songs have that kinda texture and feel… it is a natural conclusion. Journey is back! Sort of.
Okay, let’s cut the crap… I am not in love with Doug Aldrich, and this is not a Journey tribute band. I was having a bit of fun at their expense, but just listen to the tune below and you will get the point. Truth be told, despite the obvious tip of the hat to tonality and structure, right down to three members of Journey being on the album, this is a well written dose of melodic rock, perhaps the best over-all album in the genre in a long, long time.
One wonders what will happen to this combo-batch of players in the future, as they have now proven they have chemistry and can certainly write new tunes in a genre that is often tired, and they can create songs that are fresh, energetic and addictive.
The bottom line here is that Revolution Saints are a damn good band. They have the look, the sound and the style to make a splash with the over 40-something rockers. This is just good music, well written, well sung and well played.
Nice job guys!
Frontiers knows they have something special on their hands, as they are going all-out, offering fans a lot of different ways to snap this puppy up, including bonus tracks, deluxe editions, vinyl editions and more. See below.
REVOLUTION SAINTS
Deen Castronovo: lead vocals, drums
Jack Blades: bass, vocals on Turn Back Time and Way To The Sun
Doug Aldrich: guitars
SPECIAL GUESTS
Alessandro Del Vecchio: keyboards, backing vocals, vocals on Way To The Sun
Arnel Pineda – co-lead vocals on You're Not Alone
Neal Schon – guitar solo on Way To The Sun
Produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio
ALBUM TRACKLISTING
1. Back On My Trail
2. Turn Back Time
3. You're Not Alone (Feat. Arnel Pineda)
4. Locked Out Of Paradise
5. Way To The Sun (Feat. Neal Schon)
6. Dream On
7. Don't Walk Away
8. Here Forever;
9. Strangers To This Life
10. Better World;
11. How To Mend A Broken Heart
12. In The Name Of The Father (Fernando's Song)
Bonus Tracks (Deluxe Edition only)
1. You Are Not Alone (Arnel Pineda version)
2. Way To The Sun (Doug Aldrich version)
3. You Are Not Alone (Deen Castronovo Version)
DVD Content (Deluxe Edition only)
1. Making of the Album documentary
2. Turn Back Time (promo video)
3. Back On My Trail (promo video)
4. Here Forever (promo video)
5. Way to the Sun (lyric video)
By Jeb Wright
