Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Defiants, The
Label: Frontiers Records
Release: 2016
Length: 58:30
Rating: 4/5
The Defiants is a lineup of »former«, »current«, »eternal«, »redundant«, »occasional« and »founding« members of Danger Danger, made up of bassist Bruno Ravel, singer Paul Laine and guitarist Rob Marcello. The self-titled debut is basically a sequel to the Danger Danger album »Revolve« (2009), and it sounds like it was made while some of the band stepped out of the studio for a smoke and a beer.
Paul Laine, an excellent singer with striking vocal character (personally I like him better than Ted Poley), spent eleven years in Danger Danger and put out four studio albums with the band. The Laine and Ravel duo is a songwriting partnership with a thoroughly road-tested recipe, and if it clicked in the past, it’s worth trying again. Rob Marcello is no stranger either after thirteen years in Danger Danger. He’ll never be able to fill Andy Timmons’s shoes, of course, but he’s an exceptionally talented guitarist: precise, ultrasonic-fast, with remarkable control over the tone and sound of his instrument. A tandem like that simply can’t make a bad album. Especially when it follows its own musical vision, which is of course a stone’s throw from the musical world of Danger Danger. Since the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree (well, usually), possible parallels between this album and Laine’s excellent debut »Stick It To Your Ears«, as well as the Danger Danger albums »Four the Hard Way« and »The Return Of The Great Gildersleeves«, come as no surprise. Nor can you dodge the associations pointing to the excellent album »Marcello-Vestry«, which Rob Marcello released in 2008 together with singer Frank Vestry.
However I spin it, this album is a textbook stereotype of AOR/melodic rock, deliciously weighed down with clichés, which the band has masterfully repackaged in its songwriting and served up to the audience one more time. »The Defiants« is an album full of positive vibes, the guys don’t take things too seriously, they’re sharp, and the dose of cheekiness gives this record a special touch, especially once you fight your way through to Lil’ Miss Rock’N’Roll. The lyrics, mind you, don’t leave any deep intellectual impression. Once again it’s all about girls, nightlife and fast cars. In short, carefree partying till the early morning hours.
So, infectious musicality, deftly crossed with the punch of a high-octane rock’n’roll riff, hits with full-blooded force. Add a production that’s tightly contrasted – very much in the »Danger Danger style«. The choruses win you over instantly with a polished dose of melodic catchiness, that typically bombastic AOR sound. Considering that in 2009, with the album »Revolve«, Danger Danger tried to deliver exactly what the fans had quietly been wishing for (and they did deliver), »The Defiants« feels looser and less burdened. In other words, even more »fun-loving«. And there’s not a moment’s doubt that Danger Danger fans will take it with open arms. Maybe it’s two tracks too long, but still. It’s only a matter of time before we get a new Danger Danger album too, since Ted Poley also spent the past year being creative and plans to release his second solo studio album right around now. »The Defiants« more than deftly stands in for the material of the new Danger Danger album. In fact, that’s exactly what it is, just signed under a different act.
The Defiants – Love And Bullets:
Lineup
Paul Laine – vocals
Rob MArcello, guitar, backing vocals
Bruno Ravel – bass, backing vocals
GUEST MUSICIAN:
Van Romaine – drums
Production
Bruno Ravel & Paul Laine
Track list
01. Intro (For A Few Dollars More – Carillon’s Theme)
02. Love And Bullets
03. When The Lights Go Down
04. Waiting On A Heartbreak
05. Runaway
06. Lil’ Miss Rock’N’roll
07. Last Kiss
08. Save Me Tonight
09. Take Me Back
10. We All Fall
11. That’s When I’ll Stop Loving You
12. Underneath The Stars
