There are some artists who peak at a young age, although, you could argue that Rock Vocalist Robin McAuley is doing so much later on. Unusual to see in music, where few have such staying power, McAuley has experienced a bit of a renaissance over the past five to seven years.
Debatably underappreciated, McAuley made an impression back in the ’80s with McAuley Schenker Group, before going onto sing for others such as Grand Prix, Survivor, and Far Corporation. However, it feels like he is on a creative high in more recent history. Was it his work on Michael Schenker Fest’s 2018’s Resurrection and 2019’s Revelation that reinvigorated the engine? Perhaps. However, you really should look at his lead with Black Swan (featuring Reb Beach, Jeff Pilson and Matt Starr) as a turning point; because not only did they put out the impressive Shake the World in 2020, but followed it up strongly in 2022 with Generation Mind.
What could be viewed as spark plugs to reignite the talented McAuley, amidst the Black Swan era, he put out the solo album Standing on the Edge in 2021. His first solo album in over two decades, it was nothing less than engaging Hard Rock highlighted by McAuley’s signature voice. Keeping these creative juices flowing, he now quickly returns in 2023 with his new album Alive. Released via Frontiers Music s.r.l. back on February 17th, Alive picks up right where Standing on the Edge left off without skipping a beat.
A brand-new batch of songs, McAuley once more teamed with Alessandro Del Vecchio, who helped produce, co-write, play bass, keyboard, but also Guitarist Andrea Seveso, and Drummer Nicholas Papapicco. A formula that seems to be working really well, the eleven tracks that make up Alive are nothing less than powerful and emotional. More than a showcase of McAuley’s seemingly ageless voice, these tracks have meaning and are extremely well-composed. Equally as well-produced, the tone is perfect, the mastering is not excessively loud, giving room for McAuley’s voice to breathe, and the melodies to take shape.
These factors in mind, some of the most striking moments include the title-track which leads off the album with dazzling keys and vocal hooks that are so damn good. Entitled “Alive,” the cut really sets the tone for the rest of the album, plus it makes sense that it is the name for the title of the record. Why? Because thematically this album feels like a resistance of the human soul not to give in even when it seems all hope is lost or when all odds are against us.
With that, McAuley also offers a sense of faith within “Bless Me Father,” which is ironically followed by “Feel Like Hell.” The latter, “Feel Like Hell,” is perhaps the heaviest of songs on the entire album with an almost Industrial chant at the start. From here there are tons of other highlights which are not limited to “Can’t Go On,” “When the Time Comes,” “Stronger Than Before,” or “Who I Am.”
All in all, McAuley has created yet another winning album. Like Standing on the Edge, Alive sounds like it could fit perfectly right next to any melodic Rock record produced during the ‘80s golden era. Potent, real, plus inspiring, at seventy years of age McAuley is still rolling, and Cryptic Rock gives this album 5 out of 5 stars.
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