The solo album: a vehicle for artists to express their creativity outside the walls of their respective bands. KISS knew how to capitalize on this by releasing four solo albums on the same day. In certain cases, the creative process of the solo album is so much that it causes the artist to leave the very band that made them famous (see David Lee Roth, Vince Neil, etc). With all this said, the latest offering from FireHouse guitarist Bill Leverty falls in the former. There’s not one song on Divided We Fall that would fit on a FireHouse album. If you’re about to listen to this album expecting “Don’t Treat Me Bad” and “Reach for the Sky”…don’t. But if you’re willing to keep a very open mind for a little over 40 minutes, you’re in for a treat.
Divided We Fall opens up with the one-two punch of “You’re a Natural” and “Strong”. Both of these songs are gutsy hard rockers with a Gary Moore approach in riffs, solos, and production. While Leverty knows how to crank out monstrous riffs, he has a very soulful voice too. This is hard rock as it’s supposed to be folks. No post-grunge wimpouts or compressed production. Only electrified fury cranked up to 11. The next couple songs continue the old school worship, 80s production and all, though are more straightforward rock. The title track is touching and melodic, while “The Bloom is Off the Rose” oozes that nocturnal ominousity of a John Sykes composition that never was.
As Divided We Fall goes on, Leverty leaves no stone unturned in his musical exploration. There’s funk infused 80s pop (“Memorable”), chilling Americana (“The Heart Heals the Soul”), and full blown bro country (“For Better or Forget It”). As far as that last song goes, I’d rather “forget it”, but that’s because my preferred brand of country sings about long haired rednecks and shooting a man in Reno just to watch him die. The two songs of the second half that really stood out to me are “My Right Mind” and “Ace Bandage”. “My Right Mind” sounds like if Deep Purple MK III recorded an album in Nashville. Country blues rock? Sure. “Ace Bandage” on the other hand is a straightforward tribute to Purple MK III, minus the country influences of “My Right Mind”.
Aside from a song or two that weren’t my cup(s) of tea, Divided We Fall is a delightful and diverse collection of music. If you’re a devout rocker, it’s worth owning for the rock songs alone. If you’re not, you’ll still find something on here to play in the car. United we stand in proclaiming Bill Leverty a standout singer/songwriter who wields a mean axe too.
7 out of 10
Label: Independent
Genre: Hard Rock
For fans of: Gary Moore, Deep Purple, Whitesnake