Share the post "EP review : RONNIE ATKINS – Symphomaniac"
Frontiers Records [release date 18.11.22]
There is yet to be an “orchestral” album of rock songs that outdoes Wang Chung’s Orchesography, but this EP from Ronnie Atkins gets close.
In fairness, this is Symphonic Rock in all its bombastic splendour. The Wang Chung stuff stuck closer to classic orchestral arrangements.
It helps that the 4 songs chosen (taken from Atkins’ latest studio album released earlier this year) are made of solid, robust material, otherwise the orchestra and the choirs may just have overwhelmed the music.
Opener, ‘Rising Tide’, a pocket sized polemic, sets the scene. It has an electric and electrifying emotional charge, amplified by the massed voices of the Danish National Concert Choir.
‘Unsung Heroes’, a salute to the real heroes of the Covid years, and the powerful title track, ‘Make It Count’, massive pieces of composition and production are in the same mould. This is tough, heroic music, deserving of a big canvas, propelled by a tight mix of symphonic orchestration and choral punch.
They are songs with a message of course, and best of all might be the ballad, ‘Let Love Lead The Way’. Atkins sings with a religious intensity, backed up by spine tingling orchestration as the lyrics provide us with the answer we expected all along. ****
Review by Brian McGowan
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.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
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 14 April 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 9 April 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 29 April 2024
BRIGITTE PURDY Sugar Fried Candy (Dirtshack Records)
ATTIC THEORY The Legacy (indie)
THE HOWLERS I Need Your Love (indie)
VELVETEEN QUEEN Bad Reputation (indie)
WILLS AND THE WILLING Scuffed Knees (Smash & Grab Music Ltd)
READY THE PRINCE Still Believe (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 29 April 2024
09:00-12:00 PRAYING MANTIS Defiance (Frontiers)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to an X (Twitter) account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "EP review : RONNIE ATKINS – Symphomaniac"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
