Recent Reviews

November 2024

October 2024

September 2024

August 2024

[ More Music Reviews ]


Cross Country Driver: The New Truth
Cross Country Driver - The New Truth Album Art

Cross Country Driver: The New Truth

AOR Melodic Rock
5.0/5.0

Internet Facebook Instagram
Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 07.03.2023 | Released: 17.03.2023

Cross Country Driver marks the return of vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist Rob Lamothe. Fans of classic rock will remember him for his work Riverdogs, an upstart band in the late Eighties with limited fortune. Yet, Lamothe and Riverdogs had a revival, most recently, with their 2017album California. The recording was a masterpiece of AOR melodic hard rock. Lamothe's latest project, Cross Country Driver and their debut album The New Truth, follows a similar musical motif. With Lamothe, the band features New England guitarist and songwriter James Harper and Rob's son Zander (The Ziliz, Logan Staats Band), an accomplished studio musician on drums.

Cross Country Driver Click For Larger Image

Cross Country Driver

Moreover, The New Truth features a bevy of guest talent across all thirteen songs, including Mike Mangini (Dream Theater), Greg Chaisson (Badlands), dUg Pinnick (King's X), Rhonda Smith (Jeff Beck), and Jimmy Wallace (The Wallflowers). Riverdogs' Vivian Campbell guests on Risen, and Nick Brophy mixed the album.


The strength of any Rob Lamothe project turns upon his masterful songwriting and vocal style. To the former, Cross Country Driver songs find their foundation in classic AOR melodic rock, yet with nuances of blues, folk, Americana, and garage rock. There's a natural, even organic, texture to most songs and the production that gives the recording both clarity and warmth. But this tone is also inspired by Lamothe's voice. His vocal style both leads the song melody and harmony and provides passion and soulfulness.

Considering this description, there are a great many songs display this including I Won't Look Back, Wild Child, and Rio Tulerosa. Other songs kick up some dust with more ambitious rock like A Man With No Direction or Long Gone. Alternatively, Traces of The Truth is moves with subtly and smoothness to start, only rise heavier after the half with a strong guitar solo. Risen is something an earthy ballad; the closing number, My Goodness, nearly hymn-like in atmosphere and guitar play.

All in all, songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist Rob Lamothe scores big with his new project Cross Country Drive and their debut, The New Truth, an album of quintessential and passionate American AOR melodic rock. Easily recommended.



Support the Artist & Dangerdog Music Reviews: This title is available, with unlimited streaming, via an Amazon Music account.


CraigHartranft.net - New fiction, crime fiction by Craig Hartranft

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


The Take Away

All in all, songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist Rob Lamothe scores big with his new project Cross Country Drive and their debut, The New Truth, an album of quintessential and passionate American AOR melodic rock. Easily recommended.

Find A Review

Alphabetical Index

a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z #
New & Notable
Read the Lionville: Supernatural Album Review

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]

October 2024 Stats
  • Views: 14K
  • Active Users: 3.7K
  • New Users: 3.1K
  • Event Count: 41K

    • Source: Google Analytics