Artist: Moonstone Project
Label: Blistering Records
Released: 2009
Length: 52.08
Rating: 3/5
Moonstone Project’s latest expedition, aptly titled Rebel On The Run, further cements Matt Filippini as a fanatical worshipper of the legacy of the Deep Purple family’s inner circle (the musical one, of course). The Italian guitar wizard has gritted his teeth once more this year, and let’s just say the old boy boldly cashed in on his connections and acquaintances. Together with a whole poker hand of highly esteemed musical figures, the result is a pretty tasty stew of musical acrobatics, packed with vintage-smelling riffs, rhythmically lively themes and Hammond flashes that will quickly land on the menus of old-school rock lovers.
Still, a little caution is definitely in order here. Rebel On The Run is a solid release, likely to impress mostly those unfamiliar with Matt’s experiments. For the rest of us, who’ve already had the chance to hear the gent, or maybe even see him live, the album raises a whole string of doubts. The sound of alarm bells wouldn’t be out of place here, since Matt Filippini shows signs of creative stagnation at every turn. Of course, the album predictably stays true to its nostalgic gaze back at the 70s. So what’s the problem? Rebel On The Run offers nothing earth-shattering, let alone thrilling. In fact, this freshly arranged bouquet of Filippini’s blooms carefully keeps chugging along the creative ruts of past Moonstone adventures! Even on a superficial listen, the album quickly and boldly serves up all the essential ingredients, which shamelessly draw parallels with the sound of the Deep Purple Mk3 era. Rebel On The Run is steeped in the aromas, kitsch and energy of the 70s, which in itself is of course not a problem. What bugs is the lack of inventiveness, tirelessly nagging at you with average recycling of heavy rock moves we’ve already heard. Don’t get us wrong, the talent of Filippini’s phalanx is undeniable, but with the lack of coordination and a knack for forging stronger material, we’re forced to chew on promising riffs that sadly too often end up at the mercy of an utterly average execution. Matt’s ideas, though promising, rarely ripen into anything thrilling, and that’s despite the fact that, as usual, the old boy managed to harness a whole pile of eminent musical names into the Moonstone project’s machinery. Besides House Of Lords songbird James Christian, this time around we’re treated to the presence of rock royalty Clive Bunker, Ken Hensley, Ian Paice and Glenn Hughes. The latter’s creative input is obvious on Closer Than You Think, which would sound thoroughly Hughes-esque even without all the over-the-top vocal contortions. And since we’re on the subject of Glenn Hughes, devotees of the man’s solo path will have no trouble settling into Moonster Booster, which, apart from James’s nicely restrained vocal, especially in the chorus, leans hard toward one of those “Voice of Rock” caliber motifs.
The enthusiasm for the “rainbow-purple” shades on Rebel On The Run never really runs out. With Hey Mama, Matt finally manages to hatch one of the album’s few highlights worth mentioning, led by a humorous riff intro of the typical Ritchie Blackmore school, yet the debt to the guitar legend remains obvious. Similar recycling of patterns heard so many times can of course quickly become downright annoying, as the long and therefore all the more boring stroll through Cosmic Blues reminds us. Filippini does manage the (un)wanted breakout from the gray of mediocrity after all, this time on the wings of the fire and energy of the excellent title track Rebel On The Run. A well-baked orgy of fiery guitar playing and juicy Hammond backing, built on a lively rhythmic platform, it carries a fearsome sonic image whose organic feel is the complete opposite of most of the album.
Though nobody really expected any radical musical maneuvering from the Moonstone Project cavalry, let alone strolls through uncharted territory, with Rebel On The Run injecting fresh creative substance has actually become Matt Filippini’s top priority. Dropping the role of emergency Deep Purple stand-in is a must if Matt wants to keep seriously developing his own means of expression going forward. Rebel On The Run vividly paints the power of nostalgia, the fumes of which even the most sworn old-guardists among us will inhale with a heavy heart this time. Unlike Filippini, who seems to need nothing more than reviving the iconography and fetishes of a distant past, at least for now.
Lineup
Matt Filippini: guitar
James Christian: vocals
Alessandro Del Vecchio: keyboards
Nik Mazzuconi: bass
Francesco Jovino: drums
Alex Mori: drums
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Glenn Hughes: vocals, bass
Ken Hensley: keyboards
Ian Paice: drums
Clive Bunker: drums
Production
Matt Filippini
Track list
1. Sinner, Sinner
2. Moonster Booster
3. Cosmic Blues
4. From Another Time
5. Rebel On The Run
6. Closer Than You Think
7. Hey Mama
8. Shooting Star
9. Madman
10. Halfway To Heaven
