GUS MONSANTO – Dandelions (2024) *HQ*
GUS MONSANTO was the lead singer of bands such as Takara, Adagio, Revolution Renaissance, Code of Silence, Human Fortress, and currently fronting Surpemacy. ”Dandelions”, his second solo album, truly is a labor of love where Gus invited a lot of musicians to turn his musical vision into reality.
Produced by Monsanto and Swedish based Eduardo Belchior, the album features a lot of great musicians who have performed with Monsanto over the years, such as Goodbye Thrill’s guitarist/singer Marc Ferreira, Bruno Sá, keyboard player who has worked with Geoff Tate, Angra, guitarist Alex Macedo (Krystal Tears), drummer Felipe Haubrich (Angel Heart), and many others.
”Dandelions” is a timeless hard rock / AOR / melodic rock album, but with a ton of different colors & influences. Gus shows his versatility as a singer with a smorgasbord of fine melodies, guitar solos, and a big sound all coming together as a solid well written album recorded over two years, mixed & mastered in Örebro, Sweden.
You’ll be surprised by the quality on offer here.
All the songs have been composed by Gus Monsanto and “Unbroken” stands as the first firm and powerful piece of music from the album, containing an impressive strong vocal line and a positively 90s Hard Rock structure, with approximations to the Dokken of those years.
“Imaginary friends” begins as a classic Bonfire song on rhythm guitar, developing into Metal meets Melodic Rock, not far like Monsanto’s current band Supremacy. The heartfelt and brief instrumental “Polaroid” precedes the intense “Cavok” with certain TNT-style melodies.
“Serendipity” brings to mins Winger latest work including a good catchy chorus. Next “Stentorian” sounds like a modern version of Takara, with a multi-part layered chorus for great effect. Really good tune.
“Dandelions” is more dynamic, some how a bit modern however there’s a bit of classic Extreme on it, then Monsanto offers something different with the electric / acoustic mix of midtempo ”What Doesn’t Kill Me…” serving another strong vocal performance.
“This Game” is pretty AORsish both in songwriting and sound, as here the production sweetens in favor for an ’80s feel. Journey / Hardline fan will love this.
I don’t know if has to be that I have been listening Giant a lot, but ”Daisy Chain” has a bit of Dann Huff & Co. second album Time To Burn. Great melodic rocker.
We change gears again for ”Waiting for a Sign” where an old-fashioned organ leads the electro-acoustic strings, ans a bluesy guitar work takes us into the classic rock territory.
As you see, “Dandelions” is a varied, always interesting classic sounding rocking album covering from metal and hard rock to melodic, AOR and classic rock, all with cohesiveness, well written arrangements and a polished, crisp production. You’ll like “Dandelions” a lot.
Highly Recommended
01 – Unbroken
02 – Imaginary Friends
03 – Polaroid
04 – Cavok
05 – Serendipity
06 – Stentorian
07 – Dandelions
08 – What Doesn’t Kill Me…
09 – This Game
10 – Daisy Chain
11 – Waiting for a Sign
12 – The Circus Left Town
13 – Hypnotized
Gus Monsanto – lead vocals, guitar
Marc Ferreira (Goodbye Thrill, Ferreira) – guitars
Jayme Monsanto – bass
Alex Macedo (Krystal Tears) – guitars
Bebeto Daroz (Motorgun) – guitars
Bruno Sa (Geoff Tate, Angra) – keyboards
Celo Oliveira (Chronicode) – keyboards
Flavio Berredo – drums
Gargamel DK (Angel Heart) – guitars
Luiz Alvim (The Lab Experience) – keyboards
Marcelo Berner – drums
Marcio Chicralla (Reborn) – bass
Percy – guitars
Rodrigo “Godo” Figueiredo (Angel Heart) – bass
Rodrigo Martinho (Sleepwalker Sun) – drums
Wiliam Belle – guitars
Felipe Haubrich (Angel Heart) – drums
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