D DRIVE (Phil Naro) – 3D (2010)
D Drive began rocking the Northeast in 2004 when guitarist Don Mancuso (Lou Gramm Band, Black Sheep, Cheater) put together his second solo recording effort after finishing tracks for singer Phil Naro’s (Talas, Peter Criss & 24K) ‘Glass Mountain’ project.
Mancuso and Naro joined forces as D Drive and started to write down songs for the debut album ‘Don Mancuso D Drive’ (2005), followed 2 years later by the release of ‘Straight Up The Middle’, a work made by a five-piece always enduring in walking its way with great and steady quality, nonetheless the several line-up changings, even thanks to the special guests (Lou Gramm, Jessie Hamilton and Brian Egglestone).
For this 3rd album entitled “3D”, Phil and Don play side by side with the ax-man John Naro, the bass player John Taylor and Bobby Bond at the drums…and last but not least, the special guest Billy Sheehan, ‘Mister Bass’ (Mr. Big, David Lee Roth, Talas).
“3D” clearly highlights how tight this band has become over the years.
D Drive doesn’t waste any time starting out the CD with the opening tune “Next Train” which definitely starts you moving. The band gets right into rocking the house as they say, a classy melodic rocker with a catchy chorus that hits between your eyes and a solo which enforces the charming atmosphere.
At the same level is the involving “Dig Down”, where John Naro and Dan Mancuso have fun and give you fun, snapping their fingers during the final refrain.
Reo Speed Wagon-style for “Kiss The Ground”; this track recalls just to the Kevin Cronin band either for another song that follows a very catching groove, “Chains On You”, 4 minutes as fast as you can.
Then, just to relax and take a breath, the sweet tunes of “Never Had A Chance” with which you can imagine yourself in a small club countryside where the bands play country music and, at least in my opinion, it’s the same with the next song “Last To Fall”, a little bit slower but very groovy.
Back to the rock with the shaking “Down Deep” where Phil Naro gives all he can do; his vocal cords a great charisma and the same mood of Lou Gramm, a reason that makes me full of joy as a Foreigner fan.
The very soft the ballad “Always Done What I Want” makes blow the wind of country one more time with the help of the Mancuso’s six-strings and then rock ’n’ roll high speed again for “1 To 7 Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven”, where the band pays homage to some of the rock masters.
“Tumblin” is an amazing track, with some hard-funk overtones and a cool rhythm.
Closing track is an acoustic song called “Welcome To My World” that reaches out its own climax in its first minute, with an enchanting keyboard work sided by an elegant guitar solo.
“3D” is a very good melodic hard rock album from the songwriting team of Don Mancuso and Phil Naro.
With his four octave range and powerful voice, Phil is certainly the ideal vocalist for this genre. This is the best album in Mancuso’s career, his riffs, solos and tone are immense and tasteful.
Very well produced by Steve Major, D Drive are stepping it up to some high powered levels in terms of the sounds they are creating on this new recording.
“3D” has great significance as well, not only as the band’s best release to date but the CD is also housed in a special edition tridimensional cover with 3-D glasses to watch the booklet.
Very Good.
01 – Next Train
02 – Dig Down
03 – Kiss The Ground
04 – Chains On You
05 – Never Had A Chance
06 – Last To Fall
07 – Down Deep
08 – Always Done What I Want
09 – 1 to 7 Rock-N-Roll Heaven
10 – Tumblin’
11 – Welcome To My World
Phil Naro (Vocals/Guitar)
Don Mancuso (Guitar/Vocals)
John Naro (Guitar/Vocals)
Andy Knoll (Keyboards)
Bobby Bond (Drums)
John Taylor (Bass/Vocals)
Special Guest:
Billy Sheehan bass on “Dig Down”
www.ddrive.com
IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT!
