Album review : ROBIN BECK – Living Proof

Frontiers Music [Release date : 15.05.26]

Despite releasing 11 albums, many of them just bristling with songs written by proven hit makers, Robin Beck has survived an absence of best selling music, beyond her debut single ‘The First Time’, in 1988.
Those of a certain vintage will recognise this US no.1 hit song from a famous Coca-Cola commercial of the time.

When your husband/producer is James (HOL) Christian, and your music has been co-written by Tommy Denander, then mixed by Denis Ward and Chris Lord Alge, you realise that some 40 years later, the shifting fortunes of mainstream melodic rock seem to have settled, to some extent, on an era that we are all very familiar with.

Arguably though, the last few albums have seen the team looking to update the blueprint, taking maximum advantage of Beck’s been-round-the-block-a-few-times vocals, sultry, fiery, soulful, concocting songs that skilfully combine a raw, emotional urgency with a modern edge. Modern, in a high-impact, polished sense, most notably here, ‘Trouble Or Nothing’, and ‘Karma’.

While some survivor artists labour in the shadow of melodic rock’s early popularity, in terms of sales and radio likeability, Beck strikes a different chord. Nowadays she sounds like she’s searching for something new. The vibrant ballads ‘What A Night’ and ‘Let It Rain’ sound authentic, lived experiences in song, while ‘Love And Money’s clean lines and sophisticated, contemporary rock production sound like a step forward.

‘NaNaNa’ is fun, a tongue in cheek dance/rock song. ‘Voodoo’ sounds grown up, slipping quickly into a latin groove that just won’t quit, and the album’s title song, a cool slice of lightweight rock funk, balances neatly with the rockier stuff. ***

Review by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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