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"Thanks to a high level of interpretation of Toby Hitchcock, "Changes" manages to extract itself from the mass of formatted productions of the genre."
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3/5
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While Jim Peterik, his mentor and fellow member of Pride Of Lions, is busy producing and recording, Toby Hitchcock is adopting a quieter rhythm. Thus, "Changes" which interests us today is only his third opus in ten years of solo career. "Mercury's Down" (2011) saw him working with Eric Martensson (Eclipse, W.E.T., Nordic Union, etc...), while "Reckoning" was made in the company of the inevitable pair Michael Palace / Daniel Flores. It is thus not astonishing to see the singer teaming up with another essential of Frontiers' productions in the person of Alessandro Del Vecchio.
Usually, originality is not Del Vecchio's best quality. It is on more time the case with this "Changes" with an impeccable production and pieces such as 'Forward' or 'Changes' that hit the bull's eye immediately, even if their lifespan in the memories will probably be short. It remains however very pleasant to cross the shadow of the old ones on a 'Say No More' with the accents of Foreigner of the great time or on a 'Two Hearts On The Run' which would not have been out of place on a Survivor opus.
For all that, "Changes" benefits from qualities that will allow it to emerge from the mass of the numerous but sometimes dispensable productions of the Italian label's production line. The first of them is obviously the singing of Toby Hitchcock who confirms here that he is the worthy heir of Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Bobby Kimball (Toto) and other Jimi Jamison (Survivor). And then there are some personal touches that we find for example in the cover of 'Xano Esena' of the Greek pop singer Despina Vandi. Adapted and slightly muscled to the AOR/hard-melodic sauce, this title proves to be catchy. On its side, the ballad 'Tonight Again' lets guess the Italian origins of its composer for a moving result. It's a pity that the numerous other sweetnesses of this opus don't reach the same level despite an interesting theatrical approach. Finally, the energetic and dynamic 'Garden Of Eden' benefits from a tribal and warlike drum line that allows it to stand out from the rest.
Thanks to a high level of interpretation, "Changes" manages to extract itself from the mass of formatted productions of the genre. This doesn't make this opus an essential work for all that, but it at least allows it to provide a pleasant moment to its listeners, some of whom will not fail to come back and listen to a few tracks on occasion. Nevertheless, we are waiting impatiently for Toby Hitchcock to be able to benefit from compositions of a higher level which will allow his immense talent to shine as it deserves. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Forward - 3:10
 02. Before I Met You (xano Esena) - 4:49
03. Changes - 4:16
04. Tonight Again - 4:00
05. Garden Of Eden - 4:00
06. Don't Say Goodbye - 4:40
07. Say No More - 3:54
08. Run Away Again (from Love) - 4:58
09. Two Hearts On The Run - 3:26
10. On The Edge Of Falling - 3:56
11. Losing You - 5:03
LINEUP:
Alessandro Del Vecchio: Basse / Claviers
Martin Jepsen Andersen: Guitares
Nicholas Papapicco: Batterie
Toby Hitchcock: Chant
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READERS
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STAFF:
3/5 (1 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH TOBY HITCHCOCK
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OTHER REVIEWS
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OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT TOBY HITCHCOCK
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