DEAN BENNETT – Hypnotised (2016)

“Hypnotised” is the debut album from Mansfield, UK based singer/songwriter DEAN BENNETT. Released independently today, July 1st, here this young guy fuses strong power-pop melodies with sweet melodic rock waves.

Helped by another juvenile talented multi-instrumentalist called Thomas Powell – who as well presented an interesting solo album last year in the same vein – Bennett delivers some catchy tunes to the table.
He mention as main influences Def Leppard and all ’80s AOR music, and you can hear that through the 11 tracks on “Hypnotised”, though the overall sound, of course, is not as bombastic as ’80s productions.
Bennett’s pen and Powell (as he contributed to the songwriting too, and produced) is always focused on melody, and both have good taste on it for sure.

“Hypnotised” go for a more earthy, organic melodic rock feel such as heard on the excellent ‘Goodbye Yesterday’, the lovely midtempo ‘End of an Era’, and the guitar-driven ‘Where Have You Gone’ embellished with really good harmony vocals where early 2000s Leppard can be heard.
These 3 tracks alone worth to check this album.

As said, “Hypnotised” is a also plenty of melodic power-pop in the way of, to name one, Dion Bayman does.
The dynamic ‘Running Away’, the title track, ‘City of Broken Dreams’ or the bright ‘Sounds Crazy’ (with some Bon Jovi on it) are in this poppy vein, all highly enjoyable.
There’s also nice ballads in the acoustically based ‘Follow Me’ (with a synth background) and the quite good closer ‘Someday’ including electrics, a really nice piano and a smooth vocal performance by Bennett.

With an ‘indie’ feel yet plenty of lovely melodies, Dean Bennet’s debut “Hypnotised” is a highly enjoyable album with an obvious ’80s inspiration.
Self-released, almost with zero promotion / media press coverage but with a clean, pretty good production, melodic vocals and fine instrumentation, “Hypnotised” packs some truly good tunes, something that your Melodic Rock ears will be grateful for.

01 – Running Away
02 – Truth Behind the Lies
03 – Goodbye Yesterday
04 – Hypnotised
05 – End of an Era
06 – Follow Me
07 – City of Broken Dreams
08 – Where Have You Gone
09 – Sounds Crazy
10 – Ain’t No Rules (For a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star)
11 – Someday

Dean Bennett – vocals, guitar
Thomas Powell – all instruments

BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Hypnotised-Dean-Bennett/dp/B01FY9Z23Q
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