• New Music Reviews
• |
• Archives
• |
• News
• |
• Submissions
• |
• About
• |
• 
• |
• 

April 2024

• Vanden Plas: The Empyrean Equation Of The Long Lost Things
• Praying Mantis: Defiance
• King Zebra: Between The Shadows
• About Us: Take A Piece
• Blue Oyster Cult: Ghost Stories

March 2024

• Cruzh: The Jungle Revolution
• Whom Gods Destroy: Insanium
• The Prog Collective: Dark Encounters
• Lords Of Black: Mechanics Of Predacity
• Lipz: Changing The Melody
• The End Machine: The Quantum Phase
• Stargate: Escaping The Illusion
• Turbulence: Binary Dream
• Sonata Arctica: Clear Cold Beyond
• D'Luna: Monster
• Big Big Train: The Likes Of Us
• Benjamin Croft: We Are Here To Help

February 2024

• Traveler: Prequel To Madness
• Lionheart: The Grace Of A Dragonfly
• Honeymoon Suite: Alive
• Durbin: Screaming Steel
• Smoking Snakes: Danger Zone
• Revolution Saints: Against The Winds
• Striker: Ultrapower
• Show N Tell: The Ritual Has Begun
• Robert Hart: Circus Life

January 2024

• Corvus: Immortals
• Caligula's Horse: Charcoal Grace
• Grand: Second To None
• Neal Morse: The Restoration - Joseph - Part Two
• The Rods: Rattle The Cage
• Gotus: Gotus
• Metalite: Expedition One
• Cobrakill: Serpent's Kiss
• Jack Russell & Tracii Guns: Medusa
• Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 1
• The Grandmaster: Black Sun

[ More Music Reviews ]

Brock, Robin: Monsters

Melodic/Alternative Rock

Rating: 3.5/5.0

Independent/Self-promotion
www.robinbrock.com
www.myspace.com/robinbrockrocks
Review: Craig Hartranft,  01.25.2010

Robin Brock, hailing from Canada, returns with her third independent release Monsters. With a vocal style that moderates somewhere between Ann Wilson and Pat Benatar, Brock's music is squarely in the melodic rock camp. Her emphasis has always been on a solid vocal performance presented over assertive rhythms, nimble guitar work, and well-crafted arrangements. In her own words, Ms. Brock attempts pursuing more modern rock stylings on Monsters. For the most part, she has succeeded. This disc, if anything, is both creative and eclectic moving between heavier melodic rock (New Addiction) to rock with some prog nuances (Monsters) to more demure and subtle movements (Solitary Girl). With all the different arrangements Brock still is able to cut a crafty melody and a catchy tune as Two Words, Master and Slave, and 7 Pieces prove. Sometimes she nearly rips it up like a true rocker as on Warrior or Fuel.

Unfortunately, creativity or ingenuity, even in its best form, sometimes does not translate into accessibility. While Monsters benefits from Ms. Brock's vocal stylings and songwriting, her greatest strengths, I found the entire album difficult to grasp, even after repeated listens. Fundamentally, the eclecticism translated into incongruity. Additionally, the lyrical content often seems like the mere PMS rants of a disgruntled girlfriend (or feminist). Nevertheless, despite these few misgivings, Robin Brock excels at what she does best putting her impressive vocal skills to some creative alternative melodic rock with equally clever twists. Her fans and curious newcomers should explore this vibrant and eclectic material.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

On Monsters Robin Brock excels at what she does best putting her impressive vocal skills to some creative alternative melodic rock with equally clever twists. Her fans and curious newcomers should explore this vibrant and eclectic material.

Alphabetical Index

Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]