ALBUM REVIEW: Danny De La Rosa - 12 Weekends

If you’re a fan of Babylon A.D. you’ll surely know the name Danny De La Rosa and now after a few years away from the band he’s back but with a solo album…. just don’t expect Babylon A.D.

Opening with a spacey effect and Power Pop Rock sounds the single you might have heard ‘Acid Flame’ sounds surprisingly crisp and relevant coming on like a modern day Cheap Trick and making an immediate impact. ‘Third Wheel Man’ that follows is riffier and yet still has that 70’s Rock sheen and in truth doesn’t sound a million miles away from 70’s era ace Frehley and you hear what makes Danny such a great guitarist right here on this very track. It’s a case of so far so good and ‘It’s Alright, It’s Okay’ is another great song which takes that Pop Rock template and twists it, it’s like someone listened to Cheap Trick in the 70’s but also enjoyed the music of the 80’s and 90’s too. There’s a more contemporary feel here and you can even imagine this on the radio.

‘The Secret’ is the real surprise for me, a smooth, assured demi-ballad that takes the pace down and leads you on a wonderful journey, adorned with cool guitars and great orchestration. It’s brilliant. ‘The Mirror’ is the flash after the smoulder and of course it wouldn’t be Danny if slide guitar didn’t make it’s curtain call. The title itself seems to reference Ace Frehley and of course there are accents of Ace throughout the album from the vocals to the guitar. This is great though and a little punky built on a great riff that keeps it driving forward.

At this point you’re probably thinking, hey this is actually a pretty damned good album and it is. It’s not unexpected either. earlier in the year Danny told me: “My Roots are very AM Radio based from the San Francisco Bay Area. And then when I first heard a distorted guitar as a little kid that was a real pull to me. So in the Bay Area there was Sly and the Family Stone, Santana, Journey, all these great Bay Area bands and add that to AM Radio and The Beatles, I love The Beatles and then as I grew older I got into Kiss and then it was all over! (laughs) Then I was into Hard Rock all the way.”

This album is all of that journey, but more than too as Danny’s personality comes across too especially in the lyrics. ‘You Bring Me Down’ is harder rock and picks up the pace further with a cool Pop Rock kick and great harmonies, it’s almost Wildhearts territory in sheer Pop Rock brilliance and another winner that owes a lot to the post grunge 90’s. ‘Leave It Alone’ has a similar vibe and Danny’s all of a sudden on a smooth shiny roll after mixing it up a little to begin with.

This is seriously good stuff and ‘Solo’ cranks it up again with a touch of Ace and a lot of swagger with even a hint of The Killers about it! ‘As Weak As I Am’ has a great guitar sound and again is remarkably contemporary; and ‘Downtown Slide’ brigs back that slide guitar and again hits that Wildhearts spot and that is probably the biggest surprise of the album for me- Wildhearts fans should seriously check this out!

We close with what they used to call in the old days a remix: ‘It’s Alright, It’s Okay (Borracho Version)’ it’s a fun take on one of the best here and gives that taste of Danny’s Mexican vacations (read the recent interview to find out more). It’s a very fitting way to close.

This is a great album and one that doesn’t sound like the work of a man of a ‘certain age’ it’s so fresh and full of life you’d swear that kids had made it! I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not but this is one you will definitely enjoy! Wonderful stuff!

Band Members: Danny De La Rosa – vocals, guitars, bass | Rich Carlson – drums

8/10