ROBBIE LaBLANC – Double Trouble (2021)
Robbie LaBlanc is not only one of the melodic rock world’s most admired singers, but increasingly its most prolific. It’s only a few months since the East Temple Avenue album was released, where he lent his golden voice to, but now comes his first album under his own name, titled “Double Trouble“.
It’s very much a partnership with two of the scene’s greats, in FM singer Steve Overland and respected guitarist Tommy Denander, who have written and produced the album.
While Robbie’s bands Blanc Faces and East Temple Avenue sat firmly in the AOR mainstream, and the Find Me albums boasted a more clinical, keyboard-driven approach, on this occasion they have created an almost vintage melodic hard rock sound, with a natural rather than formularised feel, which is to be commended.
‘Only Human’ opens the album in fine style, with the positive lyrics typical of Robbie’s best work, Overland’s prominent on backing vocal, a keyboards backing that could have been left over from the recent album by labelmates Touch, and a searing guitar solo from Tommy.
‘Start Motor Running’ has Overlandian written over it, a brassy, bluesy number that could have sat on FM’s ‘Aphrodisiac’ or his recent solo album ‘Scandalous’. It’s one of the best songs on the album, melodic and with that classy feeling.
Another winner comes with ‘Never Let a Good Time Go’, with LaBlanc’s unique phrasing and a synth arrangement that makes the tune one that could have been an Eighties TV theme or film soundtrack.
‘Voodoo Woman’ is the first, but not the last, song with a strong vibe of Tommy’s beloved Toto, and indeed the general feel is present with the backing vocals. ‘Pure’ is perhaps Robbie’s biggest departure to date, a smooth piece of blue eyed soul with some funky basslines from Brian Anthony, before ‘Temptation’ returns to the Toto template with a good chorus.
Throughout, Robbie’s vocals are clear and precise, on this album coming over as a cross between Joseph Williams and Richard Marx. The Steve Overland influence is everywhere, and on ‘Better Man’ and ‘Sound of the City’ in particular, the backing vocals and some of the writing style are unmistakably his.
While still rooted in classic melodic rock & AOR, for his solo debut Robbie LaBlanc wanted to offer something different, and we find classic rock, blues, funk and even some Westcoast on “Double Trouble”. His vocals here showcase some different sides from what we know from him. All very well-crafted and produced.
But what else would you expect from this talented musician?
Highly Recommended
01 – Only Human
02 – Start the Motor Running
03 – Never Let a Good Thing Go
04 – Voodoo Woman
05 – Pure
06 – Temptation
07 – My Lips Are Sealed
08 – Better Man
09 – The Sound of the City
10 – Play the Game
11 – Just Say the Word
12 – Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
13 – Don’t Do Love
Robbie LaBlanc (Blanc Faces / Find Me) – Vocals
Tommy Denander – Guitars / Keyboards
Brian Anthony (Steve Walsh / Overland) – Bass / Percusion
Michael Lange – Drums
Steve Overland (FM / Lonerider / Shadowman) – Backing Vocals
Pre Order:
www.amazon.co.uk/Double-Trouble-Robbie-LaBlanc/dp/B08WY62HM6
