Robin Beck has been around for awhile and put out an array of albums - some which impressed, such as her debut, and others which managed to squeak out a resounding
"Meh" from the press such as "Do You Miss Me". That album was put as a question mark on her long absence from the recording spotlight and unfortunately the answer was "not if this is the best you can do." Of course, despite it being a decent album of sorts, Beck can do better, and that is what
"Livin on a Dream" sets out to prove. By improving on all aspects of the former disc and bringing in a few new elements to freshen up her sound. This element was sorely needed, since "Miss Me" kind of fell with a boredom induced thud.
First off the bat is the involvement of guitar wizard and songwriter Tommy Denander. Denander's licks and programmed sound are imprinted all over the record, providing fat hooks and catchy choruses for this songbird to sing. Her husband
James Christian makes a return lending his voice for another Robin/James - husband/wife duet, as well as giving the disc its splash of keyboards and bumping bass. Jimi Bell is the lead guitarist here, borrowed from her husband's band
House of Lords no doubt, and he is an absolute guitar mastermind as well. His style is thick, dazzling and working that edge of magic without a doubt. Even though the material here is restrained and not fully showcasing his chops, the rock solid six string performance is caught here, and lends a giant guitar sound to the album.
Some might say this is Robin's best since her debut of "Trouble of Nothin" and many will agree. Perhaps losing a "g" off of a word for her album's title inspires some extra inspiration, who knows.
"Always" is a lush ballad full of feminine fragrance, much in the line of
Heart, with Ann Wilson's passion and lovely textured melodies. But the disc is mostly an uptempo affair, delivering energy and excellence in the form of the opening starter
"Livin on a Dream" which feels like Vixen and the melodic roughness of
"Can't Get Enough of Your Heart" which is like a mix of Roxette and again, Vixen.
"Wrapped Around Your Finger" is a powerful celebration of love and has a catchy little rhythm riff here that sets off her vocals perfectly.
"Love Me Like a Man" follows in the footsteps of
Heart in their melodic heyday, it could have easily been a long lost cross product of "Brigade" and "Bad Animals". Not a bad pedigree at all.
And while she belts it,
"Magic" seems to misfire a little. Rough around the edges vocally, and roaringly uptempo, it just doesn't have enough of what the title advertises.
"Love Lies" has that huge
AOR sound that bounds right out of the speakers and strides forth proudly in an anthemic manner.
"Seventeen Forever" whips you right back to the late 80s and all those storyteller songs that were wrapped around giant choruses and elevated harmonies.
"Nothing's Gonna Change Your World" is more superbly played melodic rock. Catchy and a feminist anthem if there ever was one. It's about the strength of a woman's will in the matters of love.
"Til the Last Teardrop Falls" is buttery as far as ballads go, seeing Christian and Beck trading vocals. I think this one rides more on the novelty factor than as a song in itself. Not that it's terrible or anything, but having two great singers blending their voices together helps hidethe mediocrity of the songwriting that tarnishes the overall effect.
"Livin On A Dream" is up and down like a rollercoaster ride, taking its highs with heart skipping thrills and its lows with a kind of anticipation to hurry through the valleys and see what lies beyond the next towering peak. It shuttles around the rails at an astounding pace for a Beck production. Her fans should be suitably pleased by this latest output as there are some real gems tucked away here. Unfortunately the overall quality is not quite what it could be, with a few songs marring an otherwise smooth listening session. Those that are in the market for a female fronted melodic rock record could do worse than to add this to their collection. It's a high class effort and one that rewards the listener over and again, even if that shadow of true greatness never completely materializes.
Written by
Alanna Sunday, September 9, 2007
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