Back in the day way before the internet the US was full of Radio Rock bands that never ever seemed to look outside the Country, let alone tour. Fast-forward a few years to the eighties and with the glut of new signings to every label that could grab a handful, there were still great bands that slipped through the gaps, missing the deal, or getting the deal and no support before quickly disappearing from view.
Rox Diamond though did get some recognition in the UK, signing to Music For Nations and releasing a solitary album in 1992 (before a follow up in 2005) just before that other great leveler hit – Grunge. Prior to that those in the know will remember that when they formed back in 1985 they did so as Casanova but had to change their name to avoid a clash with the already established German band of the same name.
Here we are a further 13 years later with a third album “let the Music Do the Talking’ which clocks in at 12 tracks. It’s an album that takes you back in time, but not necessarily to the Sunset Strip where these guys formed, it largely pushes past that and aims towards a more melodic rock/AOR sound that came earlier still.
Opener ‘Savannah Blue’ is a bright uplifting song that sort of straddles the sounds of radio rock and later eighties melodic rock, it reminds me a little in parts of bands like Winger and their ilk who weren’t straight hair metal and offered something a little deeper at times. ‘Let the Music Do the Talkin” is subtler and slower in getting to the point and is more AOR in flavour, whilst the ballad ‘You Can Never Love Somebody Too Hard’ makes up the opening thrust.It’s a nice song with great melodies and a wonderfully evocative vocal from Paul Daniels.
If you like what you’ve heard so far then the album serves up more of the same with varying degrees of success: ‘Angeline’ doesn’t seem quite as inspired but both ‘Just Wanting You’ and ‘The Way I Feel’ are both fine songs split by the second ballad ‘Yesterday Is Gone’ and it’s the ballads I feel that might just be the real gems here. ‘Two Hearts’ keeps us in that mellower territory but despite another wonderful vocal it just doesn’t sound as focused.
Just as you’re wondering if the album will tail off, two of my real highlights arrive back-to-back ‘Lonely Without You’ kicks up the pace again beautifully to deliver a wonderful pacey melodic rock-out; and ‘Midnight Girl’ ups the ante further with the biggest, brashest chorus here recalling the gory days of bands like Night Ranger. Sadly just when they are flying the tempo drops once again: ‘Hold Our Heads Up High’ is another slow one, piano led and building but somehow it feels like another rocker was called for. The biggest disappointment though for me is the final track ‘Never Say Goodbye’ which is probably the only track here that didn’t get repeated plays, it’s an odd way to end what has largely been a great album.
If AOR, well-executed ballads and a nice change of pace at times is what guides your Melodic Rock listening, give this a spin, you’ll be safe and warm back in 1984 or thereabouts.