Here we have Blanc Faces and their latest album, the memorably titled "Falling From the Moon", and if you don't recall the brothers Le Blanc or their "Faces", then that is forgivable, as their only other notable output was the debut album. And that was quite a few years ago, and in the ever changing tides of rock n' roll (and variations), that's like, a lifetime. That first disc was hugely received, like it was some monumental thing, AOR's Stay Puft marshmellow man. Big, likable and spreading their puffy goo all over like an erupted jar of fluff, sticky sweet. "Falling From the Moon" is more of the same, perhaps a bit more clever this time, as they have certainly had plenty of that to craft it (time that is...what a huge lull between releases there). Blanc Faces tries to rock your socks off, but they only get up to bedroom slipper speed. Which is perfectly fine for a band that has all the heaviness of a canister of air. It's all breezy but no windjackets required.

Robbie Le Blanc's voice is quite pleasant, smooth and rather accentless, sounding a bit like Stan Bush as he has been compared to, but also a great deal of Danny Vaughn in there too. He's flexible, emotional (without going into that whiny territory), and overall puts in a great performance that makes you wish he had been able to spread his talents a little more widely in the past. The songs are uniformly AOR-ish, sometimes flirting about with the West Coast influences, other times heading into a Journey smash-up Mecca territory that works often than not.

"I Come Alive" and "Goodbye Summer" have a vocal driven 80s Bon Jovi feel, one being a lush rocker, the other a romantic storyteller. "Everything" is the sappy piano ballad, pretty but not dazzling. "The Light of the World" picks up the bombastic slack and threads the dramatic through it like brightly shining ribbons twirling in joyous swirls. "I Will" has the pleading edge of the truth of love. "It's All About the Love" leans heavily on the synth as Starship or Peter Cetera would have, and hits the thick melody in the chorus hard. "Don't Take It Away" breaks out the bass but still dances lightly in a field of flowers for the verses, getting swept up in the 80s-Cheap Trick chorus with all its beating heart. "I Swear To You" has this addictive conviction, unrelenting midtempo-ish driving pace, sing-a-long chorus and splurting synth that keeps you locked in.

However, two songs are included here that shine and truly do dazzle, far beyond the rest.  This is a change from the debut, where every track was more or less on equal ground.  First is the title track, and then  you have the even more superior, "Fly". "Fly" has this feeling of longing, something that tugs in your heart, like the caged wild bird begging...no...needing to be set free. A traumatic experience leaves you floundering, trying to find the pieces to put your life back together, when dreams get put on the backburner to die. You lose yourself and crave to just find your way again, whether its romance or just finding your way back to your life once again. The song fills your heart and spills over to your soul, absolutely gorgeous, and nailed home by that vocal performance. The ending is composed of lone guitar notes echoing out over the celestial plane. "Cos years pass like days for me now and life's passing me by, just like words with no song, I just don't belong...no...sometimes I wish I could fly away..."

"Falling From the Moon" is a bit clever in its lyrics, and just pours its melodies out one after another for a sensational onslaught of big bombastic AOR sounds and absolutely on-point vocals. The guitar rhythms take a page from Frontline, the pianos add to the intricate layers, and Robbie just carves this one out by his honest, lovely performance.  The sound, the look and the hook, all right here.

Blanc Faces' new one is not going to change the face of AOR, but it surely does deliver some solid songs along the way. Not everything is a winner, but the truly great and the good balance out the "meh". Exceptional vocals, solid harmonies, lush choruses, "Falling From the Moon" is a pleasant diversion indeed, and perhaps even a few steps up from that debut, by a bare margin.

Written by Alanna
Friday, December 11, 2009
Show all reviews by Alanna

Ratings

Alanna: 7/10

Members: 7.5/10 - Average of 2 ratings.



Member ratings

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Tommy Rating: 8/10 The debut was quite delightful but this is a really great album with a superb production a... · Read more ·

mollyhatchet Rating: 7/10 Good Aor again but, this time I agree with Alanna, "is not going to change the face of AOR... · Read more ·

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Comment by Little Drummer Boy (Member) - Thursday, December 17, 2009

View Profile Comments: 166 Ratings: 46 The sound clips sound good. I am definitely gonna check this one out. Posted by Little Drummer Boy Thursday, December 17, 2009

Review by Tommy (Member) - Friday, December 25, 2009

View Profile Comments: 74 Ratings: 31 The debut was quite delightful but this is a really great album with a superb production and a bunch of memorable AOR gems, it's all very sugarish but man does it taste good. The line "You're beautiful smile and your gentle soul go together with your name, The empty chair there on Christmas eve won't be filled again" from Deep In The Heart is simply heartbreaking. On a brighter note It's All About The Love and I Come Alive hit a vivid and life-affirming vibe that's simply irresistible. Rating: 8/10 Posted by Tommy Friday, December 25, 2009

Review by mollyhatchet (Member) - Tuesday, December 29, 2009

View Profile Comments: 11 Ratings: 8 Good Aor again but, this time I agree with Alanna, "is not going to change the face of AOR" maybe more catchy in choruses but I think that debut album is better. Rating: 7/10 Posted by mollyhatchet Tuesday, December 29, 2009