Radio Exile: Radio Exile

The buzz in melodic rock circles round Radio Exile has become so loud over recent weeks, that I had begun to wonder if it was possible to become infested by wasps during the cold winter months. Hence I simply had to check them out. Am I glad I did? Undoubtedly so, but not without one or two reservations.

The pedigree of the band is first rate, Shotgun Symphony keyboard man Charlie Calv and HSAS/Rick Derringer bassist Kenny Aaronson coming together with Outloud singer Chander Mogul to create a sound which hits in a remarkably UK meets US melodic rock manner. Hints of early Little Angels reveal themselves slowly, as touches of Tyketto and the latter day incarnation, Vaughn, hit with a hugely energetic slap of upbeat waves, which have no problems sweeping you up in the melodic goodness. Jimmy Leahey handles guitars and does so remarkably well, his enthusiasm and vigour cutting through. Although to suggest that it isn't always Mogul's voice which raises this album out of the ordinary would do him a disservice. Time and again the excitement comes almost solely from the frontman, his swooping and soaring voice as good as anyone out there right now (and many that have come before) and while the songs themselves are good, in the end there's not a huge amount that suggests that with a more run of the mill singer fronting them, the likes of "Down In A Hole", "Road To Exile" or "High Price" would stay in the memory all that long.

However let's focus on the positives, for there are many and while Mogul may be the most obvious, Clav's keyboard playing isn't all that far behind. "Soulfire" is possibly the best example of where his surging runs and biting punches make the biggest impact, while "High Road" also hits hard, the gang backing vocals and pulsating beat hard to resist. Also, to Radio Exile's credit, there's a real band feel here, avoiding the sterile, churn it out, downfall that a lot of melodic rock projects simply struggle to shake off.

As debuts go, this is reasonably impressive, heartening fare, Radio Exile able to provide an album that delivers in one way or another on most of songs. Not everything is, as some have suggested, a sure-fire hit, however the good does outweigh the bad. Maybe not quite the finished article the fervent press coverage and fever pitch forum chatter has made out, Radio Exile are still one of the better melodic rock acts to arrive this year.

Track Listing
1. High Road
2. High Price
3. Soulfire
4. No Pity On The Highway
5. Feels Like Home
6. Higher Than The Sun
7. Hang On
8. Starting Over
9. Down In A Hole
10. A Cross In Stone
11. Road To Exile

Added: December 12th 2015
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Radio Exile on facebook
Hits: 2252
Language: english

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