JAMES CHRISTIAN – Lay It All On Me (2013)
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The name of JAMES CHRISTIAN is a household name in the Melodic Rock / AOR community. Since he started in ’80s with House Of Lords the man has created classic albums in the genre, also going solo a couple of times.
James Christian is releasing a third album entitled “Lay It All On Me” tomorrow in Europe and July 9th in North America, a recording that surpasses his previous solo work, but one which also rivals the very best of what House Of Lords had/have to say.
With the help of possibly the cream of AOR songsmiths Tommy Denander, Jimi Bell, Chris Pelcer and Jeff Kent, “Lay It All On Me” is an album choc full of incredibly strong melodic rock with eleven quality songs that any fan of this genre will absolutely love.
The album’s title track positively bursts into life, with an oft repeated chorus line having you singing along before you even reach the halfway point on your first listen; only getting better and better the more you hear it. I’d go as far as to suggest that it is one of the best songs JC has put his golden tonsils to.
From there the standard stubbornly refuses to drop, with the mid paced, yet always captivating “Believe In Me”, the keyboard dominated “Sacred Heart” which allows Christian to hit the vocal heights yet again, and the attitude infused “She’s All The Rage” hitting home to great effect.
All eleven tracks have true depth to them, convincing from start to finish, with the likes of “Sincerely Yours” or “You’re So Bad” combining punchy guitars with uplifting keyboard bursts via shit kicking beats and (obviously) classy vocals.
With a line up containing fellow House Of Lorders Jeff Kent (keys), BJ Zampa (drums) and Jimi Bell (guitars) – in fact only HOL bassist Chris McCarvill doesn’t show up from the main band – it is a little hard to work out where the solo and band aspects between James Christian and House Of Lords begin and end. Though, other contributors also show up in the shape of Robin Beck (Mrs James Christian) on backing vocals, David Sherman on drums and Jorge Sala and Shelby Stewart both on guitar.
There’s no denying that “Lay It All On Me” leans heavily on the signature sound Christian is known for, but there’s also a slightly more obvious commercial edge to this album which makes it stands tall and proud on its own merits.
If pulsating, classy, melodic (hard) rock with a commercial, pumping AOR edge is the sort of thing that gets your blood racing, then be prepared to absolutely love this album.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
01. Lay It All On Me
02. Sacred Heart
03. Day In The Sun
04. Believe In Me
05. You’re So Bad
06. Don’t Come Near Me
07. Let It Shine
08. She’s All The Rage
09. Sincerely Yours
10. Shot In The Dark
11. Welcome To Your Future
James Christian: Lead & Background Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Bass
Robin Beck: Background Vocals
Jeff Kent: Keyboards
BJ Zampa, David Sherman: Drums
Jorge Salas, Jimi Bell, Shelby Stewart: Guitars
BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Lay-It-All-On-Me/dp/B00CLF84BE
