Ex
Dark Sky man, Bruno Kraler, aka BrunoRock
, has released a superb second studio album, unfortunately titled '
War Maniacs'. That alone will be enough to put most people off.
They'll miss a treat.
Shrewdly, Kraler has surrounded himself with tried and tested musicians / songwriters, and it pays off big time.
Alessandro DelVecchio (keys) and Bobby Altvater (guitars) are the principal players, with Lino contributing several graceful, gorgeously understated guitar solos.
There's a ringing grown up resonance to '
War Maniacs', which is not signaled by the album's tabloid-headline title. From '
Breakthrough's escalating operatics and tuneful stomp, through the breezy, arena rock of '
Julia' to '
Touch Too Much' and '
Liar', both top-notch adult rock songs, rooted in eighties' mhr without succumbing to parody or plagiarism.
There's a languid, jazzy shuffle to '
In Search Of Faith', building to a Westcoast-ish chorus. It's a track that successfully straddles several genres, wrapped up in a cutting edge production, with touches of contemporary spin.
'
Last Ride' has the cinematic sweep of the best Fair Warning, with hints of eighties' bands like Split Enz and Men At Work that somehow give it a warm, romantic glow.
And bending the genre's template into contemporary shape are '
Time To Run' and '
Temptations', both fuelled by a sense of drive and urgency. Passionate, articulate rock, bridging past to present with surefooted confidence and considerable style.
This is a real triumph for Kraler. It won't make him a household name, but the cognoscenti will take note.
Written by
Brian Tuesday, October 6, 2009
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