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[ More Music Reviews ]

Liberty N Justice: Light It Up

Melodic Hard Rock

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Retroactive Records
www.libertynjustice.net
www.myspace.com/libertynjustice2
Review: Craig Hartranft,  01.11.2010

Perhaps the most impressive characteristic of Justin Murr's latest Liberty 'N Justice project Light It Up is the amazing number of guest players from some of the greatest melodic rock bands. Murr has done this before, but he has out done himself this time. The list is a who's who with too many to list here. Yet, notables include Ted Poley, Chris Holmes, Phil Collen, Oz Fox, and Kerri Kelli and pro wrestler Chris Jericho. This amalgam of talent could make Light It Up nothing more than an eclectic potpourri of music, or at worse, an interesting inconsistent spin. Fair warning tells you to give this disc several turns to appreciate the caliber of music.

Fortunately, for Murr and company, he excels at composing melodic hard rock and metal circa 1980's. Therefore, combining his arrangements with the best of the best from that era makes perfect sense. The results are to be expected: there's nothing smacking of modern hard rock here at all. The best highlights include Blink, Do What You Believe, Drunk Dead Gorgeous, and Greed. I could easily pass on the average Light It Up, Uncle Sam, or the Best Time You Never Had, all of which had charming merits, but left me wanting. Possibly the most troubling aspect of Light It Up is Murr's representation of Christianity. A believer himself, his "Christian" message traverses the man-centered, Christless faux spirituality of Do What You Believe to the more theological stable Every Reason to Believe. Nevertheless, the true champion here is exceptional melodic hard rock and ambitious performances of the guest players. For Murr, Light It Up is a work to be proud of and, for melodic rock fans, an essential listen. Very recommended.

The true champion here is exceptional melodic hard rock and ambitious performances of the guest players. For Justin Murr, Light It Upis a work to be proud of and, for melodic rock fans, an essential listen.

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