Album review: PARIS- The World Outside
(Release Date 01.07.16)
France is not best known as a hotbed of melodic rock, but singer/keyboardist Frederic Dechevanne and guitarist Sebastien Montet and their band named after the French capital represent one of the the best attempts yet from a country that gave the world bands like Daft Punk and Air.
However there is an entente cordiale with a Brit as Steve Newman both produces this, their second album apparently, and lends them his rhythm section.
Their Def Leppard inspiration is obvious on opener End of My World but the vocals sound a bit strained and the softer style suits them better, be it ‘When You Find Love’ with a tidy guest guitar solo from Work of Art’s Robert Sall, the quirky ‘Kitesurfing’ with an almost It Bites feel and the catchy chorus of ‘I Feel Fine’.
Not all the tracks work and at times the songs can feel they need a tighter structure and come across as being a bit insubstantial. Things look up as the album progresses with both ‘Tears in Your Heart’ (perfect song title!) and ‘Haunted’ bouncing along on classic AOR intros with their blend of keyboards and clean guitar, and ‘Stronger’ having a tougher vibe and reminding me of Trixter or Firehouse.
While perhaps not yet in the same league of bands peddling a similar style such as Work of Art and Find Me, this is a promising effort and an interesting alternative to what currently seems to be the Scandinavia and Italian domination of the genre.
*** ½
Review by Andy Nathan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)
Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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