LRS: Down To The Core

People's thoughts on the debut album, Down To The Core, from Frontiers project-band LRS are going to go one of two ways. Either they're gonna proclaim them to be the sort of manufactured carbon copyists that currently dominate the Melodic AOR scene, or a sugary helping of the sort of summer's day that only Journey, or maybe The Storm could possibly ever deliver. In fact lead-off track "Our Love To Stay" borrows so many Journeyisms, that it plays like a medley of the AOR king's hits, where you're invited to enjoy a game of spot the lick.

So who are LRS? Well that'll be the much missed ex-21 Guns singer Tommy La Verdi, The Storm/Hardline guitarist Josh Ramos and Von Groove drummer (and singer) Michael Shotton. So to be fair, if ever an act deserved to be given the freedom of the AOR tool kit, then it these three signed, sealed and delivered masters of the genre. Add to that the keys-work and writing talent of (hey, it's a Frontiers release, of course I'm involved) Alessandro Del Vecchio and surely LRS can do no wrong? Well, truth be told, that's pretty much the case and if you're looking for an album that's more Journey than the last Journey album, mines the seam of history The Storm gleaned riches from and rekindles the sultry ballads that made the first 21 Guns album, Salute, such a gem, then Down To The Core will be for you. Does it offer anything new? Nah, don't be daft. Does it sound immediately familiar? Sure does. Will you hear snippets that make you think, "ooooo, that sounds just like....."? There's no doubt. Yet, still I simply can't stop myself from also telling you that you'll revel in the dark atmosphere of "Universal Cry", where La Verdi is immense, the acoustic lead "Almost Over You", where the syrupy melody is a delight, or the bounce-tastic upbeat smile-athon of "Waiting For Love". After all, you will!

I've absolutely no doubt that AOR purists will dismiss LRS as tired and predictable, yet even from someone known to bandy about such accusations when the need arises, I can't stop myself singing along with each and every one of the twelve songs that go Down To The Core. In 2014, does AOR actually get much better? I doubt it.

Track Listing
1. Our Love To Stay
2. Livin 4 A Dream
3. I Can Take You There
4. Never Surrender
5. Almost Over You
6. Shadow Of A Man
7. Universal Cry
8. To Be Your Man
9. Down To The Core
10. I Will Find My Way
11. Waiting For Love
12. Not One Way To Give

Added: April 1st 2014
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Frontiers Records
Hits: 2435
Language: english

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