Frontiers [Release date 06.08.21]
Cruzh is back with a new vocalist, Alex Waghorn, in a belated follow-up to 2016’s self-titled debut. Waghorn joined Cruzh in 2019 when the band released an acoustic version of ‘Aim For The Head’. Now, Waghorn, along with Dennis Butabi Borg, Anton Joensson and Matt Silver, unleash the band’s long awaited second album.
It is definitely an album that improves as it goes on, as the opening trio of songs are okay but very similar to any number of Scandinavian melodic rock bands. They start to hit their stride on track four, the Def Leppard sounding ‘Are You Ready’. The next song, ‘Cady’, is one of those simple, yet effective ballads beloved of the melodic rock/AOR scene. Alex Waghorn certainly earns his supper on this one and is a better fit to the band’s sound.
Plenty of keys to be enjoyed throughout the album, be it the stabbing synths on ‘All You Need’ or the lush keys backing ‘Line In The Sand’ (another song with a distinct Def Leppard feel about it).
‘Paralyzed’ is a bit of a melodic rock beast with lashings of keys, guitar, pounding rhythm and a chorus that hits the mark after just one play. More of this type of song please lads!
‘N.R.J.C.’ ends the album and it is a different beast, going down the acoustic route – liking the percussion and vocals on this one.
Much more enjoyable than their debut album (which I have hardly played since). They have found a much more suitable vocalist in Alex Waghorn. Whether they have enough to get them noticed above the mass of bands out there is debatable, however, this is a good second album and I do think they have it in them to produce a ‘must hear’ third album. Until then, crank this one up and enjoy its uplifting sounds. ***1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
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 1 December 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 3 December 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 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
