Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Tyketto
Label: Frontiers Records
Release: 2016
Running time: 57:26
Rating: 4.5/5
Nobody expected that in 2012, with the release of their new album »Dig in Deep«, the legendary American melodic rockers Tyketto would come back in such grand style. That excellent record was considered one of the best new studio releases of that year when we talk about the AOR and melodic rock “underground” today. The band held on to its creative momentum and poured it into shaping new ideas and compositions. The result, four years later, is a new document that the guys have titled »Reach«. It came out in the year Tyketto celebrate the 25th anniversary of the band.
Given how good its predecessor was, Danny Vaughn and his buddies in the studio must have felt at least a little knot in the stomach from all the nerves, because the expectations, or rather demands, were huge: the new studio album had to at least hold the quality level of the last one, if it couldn’t artistically top it. Some doubts also came from the lineup changes. While »Dig in Deep« was recorded by the original classic four-piece lineup, today only Michael Clayton on drums remains alongside Vaughn from the original members. Jimi Kennedy has been replaced on bass by the seasoned Chris Childs (Thunder), and Tyketto have grown into a quintet too, adding an extra keyboardist, the new man Ged Rylands. The biggest question mark in all this shuffling was guitarist Chris Green, who had to step into the shoes of the otherwise excellent Brooke St. James.
All the fears and doubts are unfounded. »Reach« carries on the expressive brilliance of its predecessor »Dig in Deep«. In terms of expression, its starting points tie back to Vaughn’s solo studio album »Traveller«, so don’t expect the album to try to chase the artistic stamp of the band’s first two studio records. In that respect, all hopes and expectations are in vain.
»Reach« also confirms that Danny Vaughn remains a very strong presence as a vocalist, arranger and songwriter, whose all-around creative inspiration has a decisive influence on the very look and feel of Tyketto’s records. As a composer and arranger, Vaughn has once again delivered twelve carefully “polished” tracks, rich in fine detail, that bring the old school of melodic rock up to date. He thought of everything. Coloring the lead vocal melodies with harmonized backing-vocal embellishments, layering and “thickening” the basic guitar lines with extra overdubbed guitars, tasteful touches of acoustic seasoning in the background of the instrumental backing. And Chris Green proves with his virtuoso guitar playing, especially in the instrumental mid-sections, that he’s a perfect fit for Vaughn and company. Dazzling solos, harmonized embellishments over the guitar phrases… All of it shows that Tyketto haven’t lost a single spark of expression since Brooke St. James left. Danny Vaughn is still in remarkable vocal shape. His voice is distinctive, convincing and authoritative, expressive in every register and always in service of the best possible musicality. The songs bring welcome variety within what is otherwise a tightly defined genre. In this ultra-musical format, every track reaches the same level of quality, with no ups and downs between the songs. In the new tracks Tyketto again don’t hide their bluesy starting points, which you can feel often in the arrangements, but this ingredient, this seasoning, never smothers the melodic catchiness of the compact songs.
»Reach« has an extremely lively production, masterfully filled out sonically and finely contrasted in detail. It has a solid, explosive “groove” from the rhythm section and the red-hot dynamic response of the lead guitar phrases, while Vaughn’s lead vocal hits its performing peak. The album “Reach” was recorded entirely at the prestigious “Rockfield” studio, where Rush, Queen and Oasis have recorded, among others, which only further proves that Tyketto are true studio perfectionists in how they go about their work.
The new album holds and builds on the quality level of its predecessor »Dig in Deep«! »Reach« is an album that once again has real, tangible substance: 12 meticulously arranged melodic rock songs with clearly defined character and sharply contrasted variety of expression, dynamically driven by the songs’ lead motifs. The outstanding arrangements are the fruit of an exemplary period of writing material for the new album, a refined selection of lead motifs from a rich pool of freshly created ideas, and above all the experience of musicians who know exactly how a track in the melodic rock genre has to “stand” to hit 100% on the very first listen. »Reach« counts as one of the best albums released this year in the field of melodic rock and AOR music. The year isn’t over yet, but with new Overland and Mecca albums out and a new White Widdow album on the way, this is one of the main favorites for the best melodic rock and AOR release of 2016.
Tyketto – Reach (official video):
Lineup
Danny Vaughn – vocals, guitar, backing vocals
Chris Green – guitar, backing vocals
Ged Rylands – keyboards, backing vocals
Chris Childs – bass guitar, backing vocals
Michael Clayton Arbeeny – drums, backing vocals
Production
Danny Vaughn
Tracklist
1. Reach
2. Big Money
3. Kick Like A Mule
4. Circle The Wagons
5. I Need It Now
6. Tearing Down The Sky
7. Letting Go
8. The Fastest Man Alive
9. Remember My Name
10. Sparks Will Fly
11. Scream
12. The Run
