CHRIS OUSEY – Dream Machine (2016)

Escape Music is releasing tomorrow “Dream Machine“, the new long play from Bristish Melodic Rock institution CHRIS OUSEY.
Nicknamed by the press as ‘The Man with the Golden Tonsils’, Ousey returns with the follow up to his 2011 debut solo release with another spectacular album, again with talented Swede Tommy Denander as conductor… and more.

Former Monroe, Virginia Wolf, Heartland, Snakecharmer, et al, vocalist Chris Ousey is a true veteran since the first days of the Brit Melodic Rock scene.
Before the first listen, if this new record “Dream Machine” is anything like Ousey’s debut solo release then we are in for a real treat. The production for that first was taken up by no other than Mike Slamer, and was a huge success both critically and commercially and really put Chris up on the pedestal of top Rock vocalists.

All tracks are written by Chris Ousey and Tommy Denander with the exception of track nine ‘Better Time To Come’ which the late Christian Wolf co-wrote with Ousey and Denander.
No time is wasted as we go storming into the opening track ‘This Is The Life’, where the guitars crank up and the bass thunders and rolls, a true hard rocker to kickstart the rock demons inside as we scream ‘this is the life’ with horns aloft.

Next up, ‘Another Runaway’ harks back to Ousey’s more melodic rock / AOR days fronting Virginia Wolf. This one is a glorious slab of classy sounding melodic rock with an ’80s feel.
Big choruses are aplenty on this album, including ‘War’ (loving the keys on this song) and ‘Tearing It All Down’ – this one reminded me of Slammer.
Mind you ‘Better Time To Come’ is another fast paced rocker and features an uplifting chorus. The riffs on this one combine nicely with the keys, a feature that is present in most of the album and good to see no one instrument dominating the mix.

‘Gone Long Gone’, the ballad of the album, is that and more, a catchy keyboard filled track with great hooks and lovely chorus. For closer ‘Return To Me’ the pace returns to the more bass rollin drum thundering rock, with a background chorus of keys and guitar that sublimely sets up Ousey’s solid vocals and catchy stadium rocker chorus.

“Dream Machine” is an outstanding Melodic Hard Rock / AOR album.
And I didn’t said ‘by Chris Ousey’ because this more than a ‘solo album’. Suffice to say, as a vocalist Ousey remains in fine form, with his raspy, yet always melodic voice and presentation. Additionally, he has an ear for write / co-write great songs.
But this album would not be what it is without Tommy Denander behind. He’s the real ‘orchestrator’ here, with all the rest of superb musicians contributing with their awesome skills. Special mention to Adam Wakeman (Ozzy Osbourne) for his terrific keyboard work all over, turning this baby a real delight for AOR fans.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – This Is the Life
02 – Another Runaway
03 – War
04 – Dream Machine
05 – Tearing It All Down
06 – Into Your Dream
07 – Moment of Madness
08 – Gone Long Gone
09 – Better Time to Come
10 – Eager To Please
11 – Return To Me
12 – Flesh On The Bone (bonus track)

Chris Ousey – Vocals
Tommy Denander – Guitar, Keyboards
Chris Green – Guitar
Adam Wakeman – Keyboards
Andy Loos – Bass
Lars Chriss – Drums
Ged Rylands – Backing Vocals
Paul Hume – Backing Vocals

BUY IT !
www.amazon.de/Dream-Machine-Ousey-Chris/dp/B01BODISBE
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