Fire and Grace
Alliance is a band formed thirty years ago comprising of three brilliant musicians, Robert Berry on bass, keyboards and vocal duties, Gary Pihl on Guitars and David Lauser on drums. Gary, David and Robert all have their own projects, David is drummer in the ‘Wabos’, Sammy Hagar’s backing band, Gary is guitarist in ‘Boston’ and Robert, among other things, is currently about to set off on tour with his project ‘3.2’. (3.2 review here)
I in fact discovered Alliance via Robert Berry and listening to 3.2. Consequently, I didn’t know what to expect. I had been promised a straight, down the middle rock record. Having listened to Robert’s ‘3.2’, which is very much prog rock, I was a little dubious, but my goodness, it does exactly what is says on the tin. Yes, Alliance is straight up, AOR rock!
The first track ‘The Wheel’ launches into a crunching guitar riff, heavy thumping drums and great vocals from Robert. This is melodic rock at its best and it well and truly sets the tone for the rest of the album. The next track ‘Good Life’ is more 80’s inspired, with the advent of a synth. You can hear elements of Van Halen’s ‘Jump’ within the synth part, but the combination of Gary’s guitar gives that classic sound a modern twist.
The album continues, it is a real collection of excellent songs. Midway through the album we get to the title track. I like the introduction; it is a slow build up before inevitably launching us into a face melting rock anthem. Destined to become a staple of any Alliance live set, it boasts an excellent guitar solo, this is Gary Pihl well and truly showing off his skills, it is all out hands in the air, head rocking bliss! I look forward to seeing how this track will develop live – I imagine the solo will grow and believe me that will certainly be a treat!
The next track ‘Raise Your Glass’, I think has a bit of a sea shanty feeling to it. Imagine pirates singing rock, well this is what they would sound like. Using a folk inspired repetitive chorus, it does lean a little into prog as well, with a great keyboard part and as usual Gary’s guitar is sublime!
‘The Real Thing’ is another anthem in the making. I keep having to pinch myself as I’m listening to remind myself that this is the same Robert Berry that did 3.2. His vocals are ballsy, out there and of true rock front man ilk. Here is a man that can turn himself to anything, be it more sedate, polite prog, in the form of 3.2 or true, out there, arena esque vocal rock and in fact everything in between.
There isn’t a bad track on this album. Every song could be a classic. Stylistically, it has a leaning to that proper rock sound of the 80’s and as such the songs all feel somewhat familiar. The result is a wonderfully satisfying album. I wonder as I’m listening to ‘Fire and Grace’ why we don’t talk about Alliance in the same breath as Journey, Boston and Van Halen. They are certainly good enough. In fact, Alliance is all of that and then some. A truly fantastic album and one that you will keep listening to, again and again!
Released by Escape Music
Release date: 24th May, 2019
