Black Swan: Generation Mind

Label: Frontiers Music Srl.
Release date: April 8, 2022
Production: Jeff Pilson
Album length: 55.32 min
Genre: Hard Rock
Rating: 9.0/10

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Black Swan is a quartet that brings together four outstanding musicians: vocalist Robin McAuley (McAuley Schenker Group), bassist Jeff Pilson (ex-Dio, ex-Dokken, Foreigner), guitar hero Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesanke) and drummer Matt Starr (Mr. Big, Ace Frehley).

A good two years ago, the very same crew put out a studio debut that kicked up quite a bit of dust among fans of the pure, old-school hard rock recipe. And honestly, how could it be any other way when you look at the names behind Black Swan? “Generation Mind,” the second Black Swan album, follows the musical blueprint of the debut, just as you’d expect. This is a crew that has seen and lived through pretty much everything in rock music. All the ups and downs. With huge mileage, experience and, of course, immeasurable talent, McAuley, Pilson and Beach in particular made their mark among the standout musicians back in the eighties.

Black Swan is a smart project. Fiery. Even if it most likely won’t make it to the stage, since Beach and Pilson in particular are tied up with their obligations to ‘the eternal ass-kicking’ of Whitesnake and Foreigner, the thing has serious potential. It remains a winning blend of Whitesnake, Dokken, Winger, and even MSG (the chorus of Miracle), topped off by a very lively, bubbling McAuley, who keeps remarkable vocal shape for his age.  Given a format that has to deliver catchiness and, above all else, singalong choruses, the band manages to carve out plenty of creative room to show off their unsuspected skills. McAuley has set himself lines that are tailor-made for him, and he brings all the explosiveness needed with his vocals. The range he hits, considering his age, is at times astonishing. Then there’s Reb Beach and his breathtaking guitar wizardry (one of the highlights of his performance this time is in the mid-eight passage of Crown), plus a rhythm section that’s grenade-hard and sharpened like a cannon, and the whole thing comes across as unbelievably cohesive. From the aggressive, sinister opener with the biting She Hides Behind, to the richly chorus-laden tracks: Miracle, the excellent ballad How Do You Feel (with Hammond organ in the mix), the title track, Eagles Fly or See You Cry. “Generation Mind” keeps its distinct theatricality, pomp and organic liveliness, which holds the listener firmly in its grip.

Considering the endless garrison of all sorts of projects pushed by the label Frontiers Music Srl. – many of which would have been better off not existing – Black Swan is one of the better things to happen in the last three years, and it’s nowhere near sounding forced, ‘made to order’ or put out just because it has to be. Across a potent run of first-class hard rock, it radiates inspiration, commitment and, to a large degree, a real drive for perfection. Something you quietly expect from the names behind the project. And once again, the crew was far from disappointing. When you follow the arrangements and the songwriting approach more closely, you discover an exceptional skill at handling the tricks this seasoned crew masters with what is practically routine brilliance. The guys know exactly what they’re doing here, and the album builds up powerful dynamics and intense, ravenous grip.

Even if Black Swan stay in their tried-and-tested comfort zone with “Generation Mind” and the album doesn’t represent an artistic leap toward greater musical challenge, the project, thanks to the building blocks of the quartet, carries its own distinct vibe, energy, or let’s say outright charisma and recognizable musical identity. On that note, let’s hope the lineup holds together and puts out another album or two in the future.

Author: Aleš Podbrežnik

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Tracklist:
1. Before The Light
2. She Hides Behind
3. Generation Mind
4. Eagles Fly
5. See You Cry
6. Killer On The Loose
7. Miracle
8. How Do You Feel
9. Long Way Down
10. Crown
11. Wicked The Day
12. I Will Follow

Lineup:
Robin McAuley – vocals, backing vocals
Reb Beach – guitar, backing vocals
Jeff Pilson – bass, acoustic guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Matt Starr – drums, percussion
Casey McAuley – additional backing vocals