In the world of rock music it’s no secret that it is a dominantly male driven genre, women are not represented nearly enough in my opinion and this is especially the case in the younger generation of rock bands. Having said that, good music has absolutely nothing to do with gender but I do cheer on the women who go out there and raise the flag for women in rock n roll, we need more of you out there.
Cassidy Paris has been making waves in the rock community in recent years, She is the daughter of Wicked Smile guitarist Steve Janevski and inherited her dad’s passion for rock n roll, that passion with years of playing and releasing songs independently has resulted in her debut first album on Frontiers Records New Sensation and I think that title is fitting.
I imagine a lot of comparisons are going to be made to Chez Kane with the first track “Danger” thanks to it’s very 80’s glam rock and yet modern sound, this is for me her best song to date. An outstanding rhythm section drives the song behind the great guitar work by Dave Graham and Steve Janevski, Cassidy’s vocals play to the strengths of this track perfectly, an outstanding track to start the album out with.
Next up is “RNR Hearts” which starts with a fret board side into a great glam rock riff that reminds me a bit of early Poison, Cassidy’s vocals a bit restrained before reaching a more energetic chorus. There’s a great guitar solo here that leads back into the chorus very nicely and I think adds to it. There’s some great bass lines in this song courtesy of Alessandro Del Vecchio.
“Here I Am” is the albums first ballad, a song with beautiful piano melodies accented by great guitars. Cassidy’s vocals shine really well on this song, the chorus has some real punch to it. This song gives me Halestorm and Evanescence vibes, I’ll be surprised if this song isn’t made a single because it has serious radio potential.
Speaking of singles, next up we have one of the albums singles “Walking On Fire” which is a very catchy track with a great rhythm structure and a powerful chorus. This is one you’ll want to turn up loud, a fantastic energetic track that was definitely a great choice to promote this album. Her vocals singing against the guitar solo later in the song is a fantastic combination.
“On The Bright Side” is another piano and guitar led track, there’s a lot more of an early 2000’s influence on this track that reminds me a bit of Paramore.
“Song For The Broken Hearted” further leans into the mainstream alternative pop rock that was prevalent in America around the mid 2000’s and reminds me of Avril Lavigne.
“Searching For A Hero” starts off with some great acoustic playing and great heavier riffs, Cassidy’s vocals are captivating in the lower softer register she sings in in the verses, I feel like the chorus on this track is a bit disjointed but it’s a decent song all the same.
“Like I Never Loved You” starts off with some atmospheric keyboards before kicking into a more energetic rock sound with a great progression into the chorus. This song never lets up, flows really well, and rocks all the way through.
“Stand” would’ve been a big radio hit around 2005 in America, This reminds me of the pop rock power ballads of that era. Very well structured, Great acoustic playing before hitting a slow tempo rock chorus that Cassidy’s vocals glide over.
“Addicted” is an another more energetic modern rocker that her vocals really shine over.
The album ends with “Midnight Desire” which stands out with its combination of synths and great riffs, everything on this track is spectacular. The playing by everyone shines here and Cassidy’s vocals hit the mark with every progression of the melody, easily one of the album’s best tracks and I’d say the most epic song on the album.
There’s a great deal of cross generational potential in what Cassidy is doing, with the diverse musical elements at play in her songs I think she could reach more people than a by the numbers rock n roll artist would, there’s really something for different audiences to appreciate on this album. If someone heard “Danger” and felt that’s too 80’s for their taste that same person might connect with a song like “Stand” and in time come around to the other tracks, Sometimes a lister needs a gateway song that turns them on to other songs and other genres in the process and that’s one of the many wonders of good music.
There’s something for a lot of different people to enjoy in the music of Cassidy Paris and I think she’s off to a great start.
