Released by: Toxic Arrow Records
Release Date: Out Now!!!
Genre: Classic Rock
Links: http://www.reubenarcher.com/
Line Up:
Reuben Archer – Lead Vocals
Rob Wolverson – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Guests and Contributors:
Dave Meniketti (Y&T). John ‘Rhino’ Edwards (Status Quo). Neil Murray (Whitesnake, Gary Moore, Coliseum 2, Snakecharmer). Harry James (Magnum, Thunder, Snakecharmer). Paul Quinn (Saxon). Paul Raymond (UFO, PRP). Derek Holt (Climax Blues Band). Luke Morley (The Union, Thunder). Rocky Newton (Lionheart, MSG) Steve Holbrook (Lautrec). Kevin Riddles (Angel Witch, Tytan). Chris Clowsley (Stampede). Christian Nokes (IOEarth). Vince Neades (Archer Marriott Band). Al Cormel (Slide Boy Roy & The Decades). Steve Avery (Session). Joe Blanks (The Howling, The Tunics). Steve Graystone (Stampede). Chris Dyer (Ruff Kutz, Skalinskis). Paul Gooderham (The Remnants, Archer Marriott Band). Elizabeth Fields. Dulcie Phoenix.
Tracklist:
1. Bulletproof
2. Play My Rock ‘n’ Roll (ft. Rocky Newton)
3. Personal Sin (ft. Dave Meniketti, Harry James & John ‘Rhino’ Edwards)
4. Lately (ft. Harry James & Kevin Riddles)
5. Time On My Hands (ft. Derek Holt & Steve Holbrook)
6. Desperation Train (ft. Luke Morley, Derek Holt & Steve Holbrook)
7. TV Junkie
8. Ace Café (ft. Paul Quinn, Harry James, John ‘Rhino Edwards’, Steve Holbrook)
9. Spanish Nights (ft. Steve Holbrook)
10. Reuben’s Blues (ft. Paul Quinn, Neil Murray, Paul Raymond)
11. Shakin’ All Over
12. Like A Clown
13. Sooner Or Later
REUBEN ARCHER, vocalist with hard rockers STAMPEDE and former vocalist of LAUTREC, WILD HORSES and LIONHEART, is set to release his debut solo album ‘Personal Sin’ this summer, featuring guest appearances from members of Y&T, THUNDER, WHITESNAKE, MAGNUM, UFO, STATUS QUO, SAXON, MSG and more.
‘Personal Sin’ features 13 tracks produced by Reuben and Rob Wolverson and mastered by Ade Emsley (Iron Maiden, Steve Harris). Set for an August 19 release, it will signal the debut release on the newly launched Toxic Arrow Records, a joint venture between Reuben Archer and Archer Williams Management distributed via Cargo Records.
The album features guest appearances from Dave Meniketti (Y&T), John ‘Rhino’ Edwards (Status Quo), Neil Murray (Whitesnake, Gary Moore, Snakecharmer), Harry James (Magnum, Thunder, Snakecharmer), Luke Morley (The Union, Thunder), Paul Quinn (Saxon), Paul Raymond (UFO, PRP), Derek Holt (Climax Blues Band), Rocky Newton (Lionheart, MSG), Kevin Riddles (Angel Witch, Tytan) and more.
Kicking off with “Bulletproof” a great catchy anthem with a huge sing along chorus,the track contains not one but two great guitar solos. The song itself doesn’t adhere to the usual verse chorus verse pattern. The driven introduction breaking down into a more melodic middle section before returning to the faster part. This actually works and flows well rather than appearing as disjointed.
I will not follow a typical track by track album review breakdown. Lead single sees Reuben hooking up again with Rocky Newton former musical co-conspirator in Lionheart. Despite featuring a veritable who’s who of the British Heavy rock industry this release doesn’t sound like a disjointed compilation of isolated songs. Reuben has combined with his partner in Stampede guitarist Rob Wolverson to create a songwriting partnership. The album flows cohesively,and sounds solid and exudes quality despite the varying personnel on the tracks it contains. Production by themselves is crisp and pristine,and gives full exposure to the individual talents on display. To be honest although I was familiar with the name of Reuben Archer, I was less familiar with his recorded output. After hearing a taster of his talents on “Personal Sin”I have definitely been missing out. What a huge and talented vocalist this guy is,from hard hitting rock, to more melodic offerings this truly is a tour De force of singing.
Genre wise this release is hard to define, traversing melodic and hard rock with also some blues elements in the mix. As a debut album albeit with a personnel of established quality its a great release. I hope this release gets sufficient exposure because it definitely deserves to be successful.
Written by Mark
Ratings Mark 8/10