BLANC FACES: Blanc Faces

Cover	Release	Style
	2005-07-04	AOR
	Label
	Frontiers
	Website

	Contact

	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	52:40	FR CD 246
	Review by	Rating
	Edwin	8,5/10
nederlands	Review
Any AOR fan thinks of the 80’s with a lot of nostalgia. Yes, those were the days when Journey, Foreigner and Survivor were regulars on the radio. Sure, you can still hear the hits of these bands quite a lot, but as for new bands getting a chance… no way. Blanc Faces is a new band that plays what in those days would be called radio friendly rock music. Unfortunately, radio isn’t as friendly anymore to this kind of music, and despite the quality material they deliver here on their debut album, there’s no chance of them scoring any kind of hit single now. The band is headed by Robbie and Brian La Blanc, two brothers who have been in the business for quite a few years, but take their first shot here at taking centre stage. Brian plays keyboards, bass and rhythm guitars and sings background vocals. Robbie provides lead vocals and rhythm guitars. He’s a great singer, whose voice is perfect for this kind of music. In fact, he more than once reminds me of (ex-Foreigner) Lou Gramm. Most songs are mid paced; never really rocking hard but with lots of great hooks and melodies. Obvious comparison is the AOR and pop rock of Foreigner, Survivor, Toto and Cheap Trick. Opener “Here’s To You” is one of the songs that could have been recorded by Survivor, a fluid, melodic rock song with a singalong chorus. “Edge Of The World” has an equally irresistible melody – great song. No AOR album would be complete without some ballads, and “Stranger To Love” and especially “Pray For Me” are great examples. Other songs that deserve mentioning are “It’s A Little Too Late”, the rocky “Staying Power” and “We Will Rise” (great harmonies!). The standard of songs is quite good, although I’m missing that one killer track that many of the 80’s albums always seemed to have. I wouldn’t have minded a bit more variation too. But still, this is a remarkable product. 80’s AOR fans, rest assured: you won’t find any modern sounds on “Blanc Faces”. This is vintage rock music, which might as well have been recorded back in those heydays. And for those who thought AOR was dead: think again! Along with albums from Pride of Lions, Mecca and Hartmann, “Blanc Faces” is one of the better releases in this style in the last couple of years.
Musicians
Robbie La Blanc: Vocals, Rhythm Guitars Brian La Blanc: Bass, Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals, Percussion, Organ, Keyboards Kyle Woodring: Drums Butch Taylor: Lead Guitar Jeff Batter: Keyboards, Organ, Piano
Tracklist
Here's To You Edge of The World We'll Make The Best Of It Stranger To Love Turn This World Around It's Little Too Late Staying Power Where Do I Go From Here Beneath This Heart Pray For Me Sorry For The Heartache We Will Rise


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