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L.R.S.
Down To The Core

Frontiers (2014)
Rating: 9/10

Well, what a joyous slab of a record this is. Nothing beats a dose of sugary rock ’n’ roll and Down To The Core is one hell of an upbeat experience that combines the snazzy glam rock glitter of Enuff Z’Nuff with the crystal melody of Journey in their pomp, and all delivered via the dulcet tones of Tommy La Verdi of 21 Guns fame.

L.R.S. is a collaboration between La Vardi, guitarist Josh Ramos (The Storm, Hardline) and drummer Michael Shotton (Von Groove, Airtime), with additional backing on this debut release from the bass trio trickles of Anna Portalupi, Jamie Browne and Nicola Mazzucconi, and the flowing keyboards of Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline).

To say this plush 12-track platter is cotton-candy sweet is an understatement as the magicians work their way through a dazzling array of infectious, pop-tinged harmonies which can bring summer to any wintry day.

From the opening ‘Our Love To Stay’ there is a clear Journey influence with its bouncy percussion and uplifting melody, and with the injection of Alessandro Del Vecchio’s keys and those soulful backing vocals, this track can only be described as an instant hit were it to make its way to the airwaves. And ‘Our Love To Stay’ is merely the starter, a tease if you will of what is a sensational hard rock album that effortlessly melts together the wistful and the anthemic.

With tracks such as ‘Livin’ 4 A Dream’ there’s even an 80s style of radio-orientated reflection in the tone, bringing to mind summer college / school days and moments in music many never will have the pleasure to have experienced. Of course, the band are also the masters at the reflective to. ‘I Can Take You There’ is sublime, as is the sun-blessed ‘Almost Over You’, the perfect love song if ever there was one, caressed by La Verdi’s silky tongue and the hint of Hammond organ which drifts in the background like a teary haze.

Those of you brought up on those classic, ascending power ballads must own this blissful record. And for those wondering if there is a harder edge will no doubt be pleased by the rockier title track, with its energetic zipping guitar, and the mesmeric ‘Waiting For Love’, but throughout Down To The Core there is a consistent brilliance and weightlessness which soothes the mind.

These guys clearly have their finger on the pulse when it comes to writing soulful, heartfelt rock hymns and try as you might you will not be able to pick out a negative segment. One can only get swept up by the contemplative ‘To Be Your Man’, with that aching piano and quivering bass, and the closer ‘Not One Way To Give’ continues the reflection, stringing together a tinkling piano and moodier percussion and guitar.

However, the real star of the show is La Verdi, a voice just so pure yet dominant in its sweetness. While the fans of heavier metal may not give this record a second glance I can only sneer at such ignorance, because L.R.S. have created a masterpiece here which is constructed by a bunch of musicians who have been allowed to breath. Stunning in every department.

Neil Arnold

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