New Music Review : Robin Beck - Underneath : Dangerdog Music Reviews

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Robin Beck: Underneath

AOR/Melodic (Hard) Rock

5.0/5.0

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HMMR Records / Cargo Records
by Craig Hartranft, 08.21.2013

If you still got the talent, you may as well show it, and also show the youngsters how real rock vocals are done. Vocalist Robin Beck still has the strength and range to deliver solid melodic rock, even as she approaches her 59th birthday. Age is just a number, friends.

Robin Beck: strangles a microphone.

Underneath, Beck's tenth album, if I'm counting correctly, is a potent platter of genuine melodic hard rock with Robin at the helm and her husband James Christian (House of Lords) at the knobs. Beck reached out beyond her usual writing clan of Christian and Tommy Denander for the new songs. She got help from Glen Burtnik, Barry Jay, Fiona, Germany’s Crush Boys (Daniel Volpe and Thomas Lipp), Swedish Eurovision 2013 winners Linnea Deb and Joy Deb, Charlie Mason (Miley Cyrus), and more than a few others. Additionally, Christian duets with his wife on Burnin' Me Down, and daughter Liv provides background vocals throughout. It's all in the family.

To say that there isn't a bad song on this album is to say that every song is well-written and Beck brought her A-game to the microphone. And you might as well start with a crackin' rocker. Wrecking Ball is an engaging and groovy number with great catchy chorus and sweet guitar line. But that phrase could describe most everything here. Sprain may have a bit more modern rock feel, but delivers on every level especially in the lyrical phrasing and steady pace. Catfight is both a bold and bouncy rock number featuring another crisp guitar line and Beck sounding a bit edgier.

Underneath has several anthems and ballads. The aforementioned Burnin' Me Down, with husband James Christian, moves with a moderate pace with a strong focus on the vocals and another catchy chorus. Underneath straddles line between anthem and ballad offering a strong piano lead and symphonic texture, with Beck's quite passionate voice rising above it all. Later, similarities return as piano leads I Swear the Nights, then builds to a crescendo with big guitars pushing the every catchy refrain.

All in all, Underneath is pretty darn terrific, solid AOR melodic hard rock, and Robin Beck sounds amazing. Easily recommended, get it.

Robin Beck Underneath EPK (Official / 2013)

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