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""Lightning Strikes Twice" unveils the treasures of AOR/rock FM US sound after every listen and makes DeCarlo the best antidote to the withdrawal symptoms felt by Boston fans."
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3/5
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Tommy DeCarlo's story is not a trivial one. A Boston fan since he was 12 years old, he recorded a few covers of his favourite band for several years until the day Brad Delp, the band's singer, passed away. He then wrote and recorded a song paying tribute to his idol and posted it on his daughter's MySpace page. Another fan came across the video and offered to post it on the Boston management page and there it was a jackpot: Tom Scholz contacted him directly to take part in a concert in homage to the late singer and then hired him to join the band and perform four songs from the new opus "Life, Love & Hope" released in 2013.
Since the Massachusetts band hasn't offered anything since then, despite the announcements of its leader, presenting Tommy DeCarlo as the official singer of the band seems a bit premature. However, it is this element that is used without complex to promote this first opus under his own name and entitled "Lightning Strikes Twice". Formed with his son, Tommy DeCarlo Jr. with whom he shares the keyboards and who also takes care of the guitar, the quintet doesn't deprive itself of borrowing the Bostonian territories throughout twelve tracks (eleven plus an introduction more precisely), thus allowing fans to quench their envy for satiny AOR sweets. From the US FM rock 'A Better Day' that kicks off the festivities to the mid-tempo 'I Think I Fell In Love With You' that closes them off with a smooth AOR, nothing will make fans' ears bleed.
"Lightning Strikes Twice', however, is not lacking in good moments with sunny melodies ('Give Love Try' with an airy, tribal rhythmic background), catchy choruses ('You Are The Fire') and delightfully old-fashioned charm ('There She Goes'). It all sounds very 80's but the DeCarlo Cie is capable of varying the tempi with talent. In terms of acceleration, 'Lightning Strikes Twice' is particularly catchy and 'Gotta Go' sees its guitars getting sharper. And as for the must-haves for this kind of opus, 'Still In Love' and 'The One' are very classic and sometimes flirt with the conventional but still manage to get away with obvious and bewitching choruses and nice soli. The first one even offers a masterful rise in power that finally convinces.
If it may seem a bit smooth at first glance, "Lightning Strikes Twice" reveals its treasures after each new listening. His AOR / rock FM US rarely strays from the shadow of Boston, but DeCarlo shows a know-how that finally makes him endearing and more interesting than a simple cover band would have been. If you are in need of new material from Tom Scholz's band, this album is for you and it will satisfy your appetite for sweet and sunny melodies. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. A Better Day - 3:48
02. You Are The Fire - 4:36
03. Give Love A Try - 3:43
04. Into The Storm - 1:05
05. Lightning Strikes Twice - 3:40
06. Still In Love - 3:35
07. Rock N' Soul - 3:50
08. There She Goes - 3:29
09. Stand Up (play Ball) - 3:16
10. The One - 3:05
11. Gotta Go - 3:27
12. I Think I Fell In Love With You - 3:54
LINEUP:
Dan Hitz: Batterie
David Netta: Basse
Payton Velligan: Guitares / Claviers / Choeurs
Tommy Decarlo: Chant / Claviers
Tommy Decarlo Jr: Guitares / Claviers / Choeurs
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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(0) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
-/5 (0 view(s))
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STAFF:
3/5 (2 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH DECARLO
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OTHER REVIEWS
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