RYAN ROXIE – Imagine Your Reality (2018)
Vocalist, guitarist & songwriter RYAN ROXIE is best known as ALICE COOPER’S long-time lead guitarist and collaborator. He has also worked with Slash & Gilby Clarke, Electric Angels, and been a member of Classic Rock Award nominated band, Casablanca. Roxie has had an impressive ride so far, but it was time for “Imagine Your Reality”, his first official solo release and sees him joined by other noteworthy musicians, including a collaboration with Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander on the track ‘California Man’.
Says Roxie: “Cheap Trick were a major influence in my musical upbringing. Both Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen have joined us onstage at Alice Cooper shows in the past and have always been the most quintessential rock stars. In my opinion Robin Zander’s voice IS the definition of Rock ‘n’ Roll, so having him guest vocal on California Man definitely ticks a box off my ‘greatest moments in rock ‘n roll’ list’.
“With this album I think we kept the spirit and power of the 3.5 minute rock song intact as well as keeping the dream of guitar-driven music alive and well. I can’t wait for people to experience my reality.”
Well, Roxie delivers what promises; “Imagine Your Reality” is a song-format record as it used to be. There is no overblown filler here, what you get is 10 songs that are straight to the point, mostly weighing in at under 3 and a half minutes and all featuring some great guitar work, as you would expect.
“Big Rock Show” is the required indeed ‘big rock song’ to open the album, then from the nice and sleazy groove of “Over and Done” through to the cover of Coldplay’s “God Put A Smile Upon Your Face” there is a great mix of songs on offer.
Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander joins the fun on a rendition of their “California Man”, transforming it into the ultimate vintage-vibed, top down, drive in the sunshine, rock n’ roll anthem.
“Uh Oh Song” grows from a simple opening to almost perfect pop-rock. Then you have the dark and dirty riffage of “Nevermind Me”, and a song that kind of explains itself “To Live and Die In LA”.
Also among the albums tracks is a 3 song section that lifts “Imagine Your Reality” above most other new albums I’ve heard this year.
“Me Generation” could easily fit in to Alice Cooper’s stage show, “Look Me In The Eye” has an almost Beatles or Enuff Z’ Nuff feel to it, whilst “Hearts In Trouble” features an original riff and I can imagine it working well in a film, it reminds me of Dogs D’Amour for some reason, but yet sounds nothing like them.
Ryan Roxie has created an album here that will be hard to date looking back on it as he has embraced little bits of the musical past and put it together in a solid and very enjoyable 10 songs.
All musicians involved are stupendous, such as Glen Sobel (Jeff Scott Soto, Alice Cooper), production is clear and the feel-good vibe is all over.
Highly Recommended
01 – Big Rock Show
02 – Over and Done
03 – California Man (feat Robin Zander)
04 – To Live and Die in LA
05 – The Uh‐Oh Song
06 – Me Generation
07 – Look Me in the Eye
08 – Hearts in Trouble
09 – Nevermind Me
10 – God Put a Smile Upon Your Face
Ryan Roxie (guitar, vocals)
Jon Bordon (bass)
Kristoffer Folin (bass, drums, backing vocals)
Tommy Henriksen (bass, backing vocals)
Glen Sobel (drums)
Anton Korberg (drums)
Steven Antonopooulos (drums)
Robin Zander (guest vocals)
BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Imagine-Your-Reality-Ryan-Roxie/dp/B07BZBD23H
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