Album review: FICTION SYXX – Tall Dark Secret

July 12th, 2017 by jason

MeldodicRock Records [Release date 21.08.17]

Fiction Syxx is the brain child of songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Mark Allen Lanoue who has had these musical ideas for some time now. To help him realise his musical vision he is joined by guitarist JK Northrup (King Kobra/XYZ), drummer Rory Faciane, bassist Tony Franklin (The Firm/Blue Murder) and on keyboards Eric Ragno (Joe Lynn Turner/Graham Bonnet/The Babys).

Musically this a classy mix of progressive and melodic rock, ‘Given Sight’ is a perfect example with loads of keys, nifty guitar solos and Mark Allen Lanoue’s vocals topping it all off in style. The band that they remind me of most is Saga and like that band the keys and guitars lead the melodies and solos.

‘Play On Words’ is immense! The guitar solo shreds and then those keys come swirling in, add in a hook filled chorus and you have a winning combination. Eric Ragno really does get free reign on the keys and he comes up with fantastic ‘air keyboard’ moments throughout the course of the album.

The mellower moments work well including ‘Where We Belong’, a little bit of Styx in this one and that’s no bad thing! Another great keys solo on this one. They do drop in the odd straight ahead rocker in the shape of ‘Your Promised Land’.

Getting Tony Franklin and JK Northrup involved was a good move as both add their vast musical experience to the sound – listen out for a few of those Franklin funky bass runs.

Really hope that Fiction Syxx becomes an established band and they get out and play live, as based on this impressive debut album they will be something special live. Until then, enjoy this enjoyable album of melodic prog rock. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 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)