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DAVID A. SAYLOR
Strength Of One

AOR Blvd (2014)
Rating: 8/10

Wild Rose frontman David A. Saylor continues the heartwarming trend of releasing a sophomore effort of rich, soulful and above all melodic rockers that are easy on the ears.

Strength Of One comes two years after 2012’s City Of Angels but once again it’s a case of instant satisfaction from the former Push UK singer. American-born Saylor has a durable voice which enables the pop-tinged melodies to drift without effort across the airwaves, evoking images of music fans sitting by the radio on a humid night and bathing in a sea of cheesy, chirpy harmonies.

With acts such as 101 South providing similar notes of grace recently, Strength Of One continues that blessed cacophony homing in its skills of flimsy percussion, and crisp driving axe-work, with the result being 11 joyous incarnations which in steamy fashion groove right to the heart of radio-friendly, 80s-styled craftsmanship.

‘Welcome To The Show’ breezes in with a simple chime of lightweight guitar groove and that steady, heartbeat rhythm of the percussion. “I’m so alone, trying to be who I am, trying to understand” Saylor mourns amidst a sea of soulful backing vocals and that constant, prodding guitar and drum team.

And it just goes on and on from there, floating in glorious fashion from the sizzling ‘Now You’re Leaving’ with its tear-jerking, aching qualities rounded off by that searing hot ever-present solo, while ‘Flying High’ follows a similar theme initially with that piercing guitar before driving in typical nostalgic fashion through an array of almost danceable drum jab and Saylor’s effortless croon. “When you’re flying high, no one can deny, you’re in paradise, take a chance and try… when you’re flying high” Saylor tempts. Sure, it’s almost child-like in its lyrical twang but it fits the warm harmonies and melody so well; after all, we don’t want brain-meddling complexity with AOR, but unassuming passion.

‘My Heart Ain’t Feeling Nothing’ is again bolstered by a strong guitar solo and that ‘Mustang Sally’-styled soulful beat, while ‘Beaten Black And Blue’ is a summery jaunt caressed by a twinkling synth and teenage naivety.

Strength Of One is the sort of album that should’ve been released around 1986-7 – with that crisp guitar and Saylor’s rugged tones of conviction, one can just imagine the opus bolstered by hazy MTV promotion and a backdrop of Miami Vice as characters Crockett & Tubbs, adorned in sharp pink suits and open shirts, cavort with weapons and scantily-clad beach maidens.

Maybe it’s my mind running away with me, but David A. Saylor provides that subtle, airy style of hard rock that flirts with Huey Lewis & The News as well as edgier, stadium-filling bands such as Foreigner et al. In other words, Strength Of One is a rounded and delightfully moreish example of how pleasing rock should be conveyed.

Neil Arnold

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