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Paris: Only One Life

Melodic Rock/AOR

4.0/5.0

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Avenue of Allies
by Craig Hartranft,  03.27.2013

It's a common story. High school friends Frederic Dechavanne (v,k) and Sebastien Montet (g) share a common interest in music, form a few bands, write some songs, but then drift apart over the years. Then they reconnect and rediscover their passion for music. They write some songs, establish their band Paris (they grew up in the Paris suburbs), and cut a recording, Only One Life.

Paris:: brothers in arms.

What isn't all that common for most musicians is getting a record deal straight from gate with a recognized purveyor of melodic rock in Europe or getting some top AOR musicians to assist. These include producer Alessandro Del Vecchio (Lionville, Hardline, Issa), the rhythm section of Anna Portalupi (Mitch Malloy, Lionville, Hardline) on bass and Alessandro Mori (Mitch Malloy, Lionville, Axe) on drums with guests, songwriter Robert Sall (Work Of Art, W.E.T.) on guitar and Steve Newman (Newman, Big Life). It's all rather impressive, but what about the results?

Only One Life is a solid and entertaining album of AOR flavored melodic rock. Strong songwriting gives the songs their fundamental strength and the musicianship brings them to life. Some songs have a small west coast feel like Dancing on the Edge or What Should We Be Saying. The large majority are straight up rock songs, leaning more to the hard rock side of AOR. Best examples are America, South of Love, and Handle With Care. Of course, there're some ballads: Every Time You Walk Away, the better one, and For the Time Still to Come. Fundamentally, Dechavanne and Montet know their chosen genre quite well, so you won't find anything here novel or innovative. Only One Life is simply traditional AOR melodic rock. Recommended.

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

Fundamentally, Dechavanne and Montet know their chosen genre quite well, so you won't find anything here novel or innovative. Only One Life is simply traditional AOR melodic rock.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]