Released by: Rat Pak Records
Release Date: February 24th, 2023
Genre: Rock
Links: https://roxanneband.com/
Line Up:
Jamie Brown (Vocals, Guitar)
John Butler (Guitar)
Joe Infante (Bass)
Dave Landry (Drums)
Tracklist:
Stereotypical
Looks Like Rain (featuring Paul Gilbert)
Gotta Live
Only A Call Away (featuring dUg Pinnick)
The Cost Of Living
Open Book
Waiting For Laura
Keep On Keepin’ On (featuring Jeff Scott Soto)
Until They Do
Without A Rope
Nothing To Lose (Bonus Track)
California Dreamin’ Rock Band Roxanne is back with their new third full-length number titled “Stereo Typical”. The guys have taken a less-than-conventional road to their third release, in 35 years. Whoa, when we reviewed their last release in 2018, we enjoyed it, but it was hard to imagine a band had been out of the scene in so long coming back out of nowhere. Seemingly they made it a solid record and people took notice.
These guys still have chemistry even after all these years. Now remaining more consistent and off the positive feedback of their last one, they bring us their third effort. Would it hold up to past works?
The quartet is comprised of Jamie Brown (Vocals, Guitar), John Butler (Guitar), Joe Infante (Bass), and Dave Landry (Drums). The new album also features a guest appearance from Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big, dUg Pinnick of King’s X, and Jeff Scott Soto.
And boy does the quality of the music show here. Right away we hear some Classic Rock influence vibes in the opener “Stereotypical”, a nice rocker number that brings Thin Lizzy memories to my ears. Next, we have another cool catchy tune in “Looks Like Rain” featuring the great Paul Gilbert, yea a super catchy tune, digging it. The groove is immense in “Gotta Live”, the chorus and bassline are funky and addicting here, a top track on the record.
Frontman Jamie Brown does very well on vocals, not anything overpowering or unique per se, but his voice is very solid, and overall his sense of melody shows on tracks like the slow ballad “Open Book”, a more soft tune that is layered with some cool melancholy guitars. Another rocker churner comes via “Waiting For Laura”, the rhythm here is very memorable and the guitars are Classic Rock with a stamp of approval. We keep the theme going in another bright Rocker comes with the assist of vocal legend Jeff Scott Soto on “Keep On Keepin’ On”; a high-octane rocker with flavor and luscious up-tempo guitar licks all over the place. Once more the vocals and chorus by the guys are spot on.
The only question I have here, is why in the hell isn’t Roxanne bigger? Maybe the lack of material? Honestly, I have no idea, these guys can be plugged into the ’80s and get on a time machine back to the present time and you wouldn’t know the difference. Is not even about influences, their music stands on its own, and the chemistry they have as a band is timeless. One of those bands you have to hear to appreciate. They get it in terms of using a Rock formula without compromising integrity or cloning themselves to sound popular. I hope this album pushes the guys over the top and garners them more mainstream appreciation. Check them out it goes without saying!!! Put some respect on the Roxanne name, please!!!
Written by: Shadow Editor
Ratings: 9/10
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