LAVALLE – Dear Sanity (2013)

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LaVALLE is a killer new combo assembled by guitarist Eddie LaValle and Edens Curse bassist Paul Logue, which debut “Dear Sanity” is being released today by Kivel Records.
And I said killer because everything you look for in an ’80s / ’90s arena guitar driven Melodic Hard Rock album is present on “Dear Sanity”; hot six-string work, punchy rhythm section, mountain-sized walls of huge choruses and a crisp, top-notch production.

Eddie LaValle and Paul Logue began writing songs together in 2011 and there was instant chemistry based upon their mutual love for Dokken, White Lion, Def Leppard, etc. Paul recommended his friend Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schulz (Evidence One) from Germany to be the vocalist, who at the same time brought experienced drummer Ramy Ali (ex- Frontline) to round out the roster.
As the recordings progressed, it was obvious that some songs were just begging for a dose of keyboards. Enter Italian keyboard wizard Alessandro DelVecchio who had been playing with Paul in Edens Curse, and he has added ‘that’ special touch to the band’s sound.

Produced by the band and mixed & mastered by Ty Sims (Goodbye Thrill), “Dear Sanity” sounds terrific, polished and melodic yet extremely punchy.
“Fading Like The Sun” has that instant BIG guitar sound that doesn’t leave you wondering if the record is going to be filled with just a few choice leads here and there. Nope. You get everything Eddie has to offer right in track one with plenty of finger tapping and shred but fitting the song to drive & rock. Super-reverb rhythm section, meaty lead vocals and layered backings on the chorus complete this monster opener (check video-track below).

“Scared To Love” slows down the pace just a bit into a dynamic melodic bouncing rock rich in harmonies and a truly memorable chorus, all adorned with lovable keys. Early Danger Danger comes to mind. “Don’t Cry” has maybe Carsten’s best vocal lines carrying the track with style. Another melodic beast featuring a superb six-string / keyboard interplay.
Then arrives another highlight, “One Day At A Time”, a midtempo rocker to die for, pumped by a fat bass and mixing clean & distorted guitars for good effect. Love the verses and then the exploding climax during the pre-chorus / main chorus. Awesome tune.
Next, “Cry Of The Wolf” returns to rock, in fact, it’s one of the more hard rockin’ songs on the disc spreading tons of melting riffs, loads of backing vocals and a great solo.
“Lucky Ones” brings more melodic rock bliss to the ears with a catchy chorus and sultry harmonies. I enjoyed how in the second verse the song builds and builds and leads right into the chorus again without a huge change in pace.
The other true hard rocker on the album follows with “Smoke In Mirrors”, but still remains very melodic in its approach. Carsten really digs in and hits some serious high notes not found on the rest of the recording.

“Break Your Heart” is the real ballad on Dear Sanity, and a powerful one flowing smoothly from beginning to end. Lights in the air for this melody which would have been a sure-fire hit on MTV twenty-five years ago.
“Rock Your World” picks the pace back up again with Eddie’s sick leads burning the house down. This track simply rocks your socks off, it’s that good.
The album ends with another solid – this time bluesy – midtempo recalling Joe Lynn Turner’s solo work, and not only musically, as Carsten’s vocal inflections shows the guy has been trained listening the greats. It’s a splendid tune with steady instrumentation and excellent atmosphere, perfect to close this very good CD.

Eddie LaValle may be a newcomer to the Melodic Hard Rock field (I never heard about him before) but Oh My, the man certainly knows how to write (and play) a good tune in this genre.
You can hear the experience and magical touch of DelVecchio and Paul Logue here, but what makes “Dear Sanity” stupendous is Eddie’s terrific guitar work reminiscent of Vito Bratta & George Lynch.
Of course, the musicianship of all involved, Carsten’s best performance ever, the soaring backing vocal / harmonies arrangements and the crisp production completes the entire package to round up, as said above, a killer rockin’ melodic album.
Don’t miss this corker. Super Recommended.

01. Fading Like The Sun
02. Scared To Love
03. Don’t Cry
04. One Day At A Time
05. Cry Of The Wolf
06. The Lucky Ones
07. Smoke And Mirrors
08. Break Your Heart
09. Rock Your World
10. Wait To Long

Carsten ‘The Lizard’ Schulz: Lead Vocals
Eddie LaValle: Guitars
Paul Logue (Edens Curse): Bass
Ramy Ali (Freedom Call, ex- Frontline): Drums
Alessandro DelVecchio (Edens Curse): Keyboards

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