Despite a catalog that dates back to the early 80s, the 2020s has been shaping up to be the busiest decade of Robin McAuley’s storied career to date. Between MSG, Black Swan, and his solo project, McAuley has remained prolific as ever, averaging at least one new release a year. Oh, and let’s not forget that Raiding the Rock Vault show in Las Vegas, of which McAuley has been a part of for most of its decade long run. Amazingly enough, McAuley has managed to not only keep up with this hectic schedule, but to sound the exact same as he did 40 years ago while doing so.
For every classic 70s and 80s singer whose voice has succumbed to the sands of time, there’s another classic 70s and 80s singer who has managed to beat the odds, or adjust their voice knowing the limitations that come with age. And then there’s McAuley, who defies all logic, both in the studio and live on stage. Michael Schenker even sang his praises for McAuley last year, saying that, “He sings higher now than he did when he was young.” Let’s face it: Schenker does NOT hand out compliments lightly. So if all the hype from fans, critics, and peers alike hasn’t convinced you, his powerhouse performance on his latest solo album, Alive, surely will.
Whereas 2021’s Standing on the Edge came off as an attempt to recapture the late 80s heyday of McAuley Schenker Group, Alive is a far more varied and, dare I say, heavier release. Fear not my melodic rock friends. McAuley hasn’t fully embraced the world of blast beats and gutturals like say Joe Lynn Turner, but there’s definitely potential for him to do so and do so well. The aggressive “Feel Like Hell” has more in common with Ozzy Osbourne’s 21st century output than what we’ve come to know McAuley for, while the moody “My Only Son” and muscular “Stronger Than Before” stand tall in their brazen, 80s headbanger glory.
When he isn’t bringing down the heavy metal hammer, McAuley makes new out of the old, forging brilliant melodic hard rock with a band of pros raised on old school MSG. The writing, melodies, and atmosphere on cuts like “Bless Me Father”, “When the Time as Come”, and “Dead as a Bone” lie somewhere between old school metal and lush AOR, packing an Aqua Net punch. The guitar stylings of Andrea Seveso are eerily similar to Schenker in tone and delivery, and I’m sure that’s no coincidence. Other highlights include the Zeppelin-esque swagger of “Fading Away” and the colossal “Can’t Go On”, a power ballad that if performed live, would light up an arena like a centenarian’s birthday cake.
Just like the title of this album, Robin McAuley is Alive and more than simply “well”. He’s kicking ass and taking names, firing on all cylinders. I’d say that I hope to sing as good as he does when I hit 70, but in all truthfulness, I hope to sing as good as he does now at 24. When his voice is paired with the songwriting of our friend Alessandro Del Vecchio and a strong backing band, it’s pure melodic rock magic, only there’s no tricks up anyone’s sleeve! Just pure, unadulterated talent on display for the world to enjoy. You don’t see that too often these days.
7 out of 10
Label: Frontiers Records
Genre: AOR
For fans of: McAuley Schenker Group, Dokken, Ozzy Osbourne