Released by: Avenue of Allies
Release Date: Out Now!!!
Genre: AOR
Links: http://www.lionville.it
Line Up:
Stefano Lionetti: Lead & backing vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, keyboards
With:
Lars Säfsund: Lead & backing vocals
Alessandro Del Vecchio: Keyboards & backing vocals
Bruce Gaitsch: Electric & acoustic guitars
Mario Percudani: Electric guitars
Anna Portalupi: Bass
Alessandro Mori: Drums & percussion
Very Special Guests:
Bill Champlin: Lead & backing vocals on “Higher”
Tamara Champlin: Backing vocals on “Higher”
Robert Säll: Guitars & keyboards on “All This Time”
Sven Larsson: Guitars on “One In A Million”
Peter Friestedt: Guitars on “Another Day”
Joe La Viola: Saxophone on “Waiting For A Star To Fall”
Herman Furin: Percussions on “Open Your Heart”
Tracklist:
1.All We Need
2.The Only Way Is Up
3.Another Day
4.Higher
5.No Turning Back
6.All This Time
7.Next To Me
8.Waiting For A Star To Fall
9.Don’t Walk Away
10.One In A Million
11.Shining Over Me
12.Open Your Heart
Catching up on some of the past releases from December 2012 we have the sophomore record from the Italian AOR band Lionville. If you remember in 2011 these guys introduce themselves to melodic fans everywhere with their debut of some very well constructed AOR sounds with very special guests such as the terrific Swedish vocalist Lars Säfsund of Work of Art who contributed highly to their debut. Thinking back on 2012 I can conclude by saying that it wasn’t the greatest of years for AOR, but towards the end we had a few stand out releases the likes of Jim Jamison and his solo record, Rick Springfield among others. Well we can add Lionville to the year’s end of solid AOR albums and a good continuing roll for their upcoming albums from now and beyond.
Back is their leader Stefano Lionetti lead and backing vocals and guitars to provide more tight musicianship and melodic hooks. The project also welcomes a myriad likes of special guests such as Arabella Vitanc, Erik Mårtensson, Bruce Gaitsch, Tommy Denander and Sven Larsson among others. Also Bill Champlin formerly of Chicago makes an appearance as well as the mixing and the mastering were completed by Alessandro Del Vecchio.
As you can probably imagine the songs here all have a similar melodic rock/AOR vibe and they all flow with tight musicianship and cool grooves. Some of the stronger numbers come your way courtesy of “The Only Way Is Up” as well as the catchy number of “Waiting For A Star To Fall”. Bill Champlin: does a bang up job with Lead & backing vocals on “Higher” as well.
The end result is tight and keen on it’s predecessor but I’m not sure is better or worse then their debut. It does feel like the songwriting is stronger and the overall vibe is more mature as well as the production. Really looking forward to see what this project will come up next further down the line. As for now is another sweet cup of tea for fans of the Melodic and AOR circles.
Written by Denys
Ratings Denys 8/10
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