JEREMEY FREDERICK – Every Little Thing (2012)

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“I became a prince and a pauper within a matter of days. Welcome to the music business.” This quote comes from singer Jeremey Frederick Hunsicker, reflecting upon his near-miss with melodic rock giants Journey.

Known for being the lead vocalist with Frontiers, the only nationally touring, full-time Journey tribute band in the US, when Jeremey was contacted by Journey’s Neil Schon in 2007 to move forward with the band as their new lead vocalist and front man, he had no idea the dramatic turn his life would soon take.

While the opportunity didn’t pan out as expected, his time with Journey resulted in a co-writing credit on the band’s Platinum selling 2008 release ‘Revelation’.

Rather than build on that milestone as a sound-a-like, however, Jeremey began an exploration of his own voice and melodic influences.

The result is his 2012 solo debut “Every Little Thing”. There is a common thread throughout the CD that draws inevitable comparisons to bands like Journey and the power-pop sensibilities of The Outfield (John Spinks, founding member and guitarist of The Outfield, appears on two of the ten tracks), but also we have here an eclectic collection of diverse wonderful sounds.

Also making their mark are Eric Ragno (Takara, Talon) on keyboards and Vic Rivera (Ted Poley, AdrianGale) on guitars & drums, featured on most of the songs, delivering their class and experience to the recording.

The album’s first three tracks and its closing statement – two uptempo melodious rockers and a brace of power ballads – certainly fit the melodic rock profile, but this CD takes an interesting path through the melodic rock landscape. With a couple of musical detours included for good measure.

“Can’t You See He’s Gone” announces itself in fine style with Frederick’s a cappella vocal chorus before punching into a vibrant, up-tempo tale of young love where the dream failed to live up to the reality.

The 2nd song is the title track “Every Little Thing”, an infectious, feel-good light rock number that carries melodic rock DNA in its make-up but, like the opener, has little touches that separate it from the pack.

“Stay” is the first of two rock ballads on the CD, and has a husky vocal over piano opening, but its chunky guitar chords and beefed-up vocal chorus’ makes it different from the more predictable ballad form. It’s also a track where the Perry influences are very much present and accounted for, in this case the vocal phrasings where some vowels are accentuated in much the same way Perry did in his later Journey’s and latter solo period.

As said, this album has eclectic influences as well. Next track “Lotus” has a light, fun and groovy vibe and is more pop than rock, driven by vocal, keyboards and percussion with guitars in the background.

“I Think I Know” is one of the tracks that comes out of left field to give the album a musical twist. Built around a bluesy beat and groove, it has a cinematic quality running right through it. It works so well that has become a personal favorite.

If “What Can I Do” sounds like the best song The Outfield never wrote, then you’re half right… John Spinks, primary songwriter and guitarist of the British trio, co-wrote the song with Frederick and between them have created as fine a three minutes of midtempo melodic rock as you’re likely to hear. The trademark Outfield sound is courtesy of Spinks guesting on guitars.

“Hoping For You” is another highlight, thanks to the arrangement which makes the voice – and voices – the featured instruments. There is an ethereal quality to the song and the choral backings shape the sound with their rise and fall while the lead vocal creates the mood. Another Steve Perry comparison to be made here, those familiar with Perry’s ‘Missing You’ will notice a similar vocal feel and resonance.

“Goodnight Song” is a cover of a Tears For Fears song, made in a relaxed melodic rock way, and fits the rest of the material perfectly.

Last track, the ballad “This Is Your Life”, preceded by the instrumental intro “Prelude (Jeremiah 1-5)”, is unashamedly a traditional vocal and piano ballad at its heart, but it builds in instrumentation and power to become a striking closing statement. Maybe Frederick’s most emotive vocal on the entire CD.

“Every Little Thing” is an accomplished and fresh slice of melodic rock complete with a few musical twists and influences.

Jeremey Frederick is definitely doing his own thing here, but the Perry comparisons are inevitable. Ironically, Perry also puts some diverse tracks on his solo records, much to the frustration of the record labels looking for a by-the-numbers Journey release.

This album displays Jeremy’s versatility as a songwriter and a singer, with a melodious tenor voice plenty of refinements. The overall feel here recalls Steve Perry’s solo albums and Journey’s ‘Trial By Fire’. It’s got stuff that shows you what a great fit he could have been in Journey instead of Arnel Pineda.

“Every Little Thing” was self-recorded and managed by Jeremey, the production could be much better, but the quality of the songs and the musical performances of all the personnel involved is first class.

Really Good.

You’ve seen it first here, at zerodayrockz

01 – Can’t You See He’s Gone

02 – Every Little Thing

03 – Stay

04 – Lotus

05 – I Think I Know

06 – What Can I Do

07 – Hoping For You

08 – Goodnight Song

09 – Prelude (Jeremiah 1:5)

10 – This Is Your Life

Jeremey Frederick – Vocals, Bass, Guitar

Eric Ragno (Takara, Talon) – Keyboards, Piano

Vic Rivera (Ted Poley, AdrianGale) – Guitars, Bass, Drums

Todd Cooper (The Worx) – Drums

John Spinks (The Outfield) – Guitar, Bass, Keyboards

Stephen Chesney (Liberty N’ Justice) – Guitar

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