Most of these also on Dooyoo, where I'm much more active.
Most of these also on Dooyoo, where I'm much more active.
Member since:20.02.2008
Reviews:123
Members who trust:10
I'll admit I had never heard of Rocco Deluca until I randomly bumped into him along with his good pal Kiefer Sutherland (ouch, there goes my toe with the namedropping!) in a pool hall in Maine a couple of years back. A very random and fun night it was too, and when I got home from America I immediately looked up Rocco and bought his CD. I wasn't sure what I'd think of it, and didn't know what to expect, but he is a really nice guy and I wanted to give it a try.
Am I ever glad I did! Fortunately for me, Rocco's music is right up my street.
This CD, released on Kiefer's Ironworks record label, was released in 2006. It shares its title with a "rockumentary" which followed the band behind the scenes while touring across various countries under the watch of "tour manager" Kiefer, who lasted a whole 10 days and was glad to be back to acting!
Rocco started out solo, predominantly playing The Gypsy Lounge in California, but upon joining wtih Ironworks formed a band (The Burden) with Ryan Carman (drums), Dave Beste (bass), Greg Velasquez (percussion) and Brett Bixby (keyboard, rhythm guitar,
sitar). Deluca himself takes on singing, songwriting and playing the slide guitar (Dobro), which he has played since age seven and definitely gives the album a edgy, different feel.
Tracks are as follows:
1. Gift - A slow start to the CD but with thoughtful lyrics. A nice easy listen but nothing special. 7/10 "Confused, the twilight sings It looks like diamond rings The jewels that this hour brings Throw shadows in the park"
2. Dope - Starts with a nice beat, the Dobro really makes Rocco stand out. After an average start with track one, this will make you sit up and take notice. 8/10 "Show me your favorite image Is it gonna burn my brain Show it to me just the same".
3. Colorful - The only single to come out of the album, a cheery, upbeat anthem for the CD. A breath of fresh air. 9/10 "You swim like you're on fire Live like your last day Drink like it's water There's no tommorrow"
4. Bus Ride - A slow-down again, not my favourite track to be honest. The lyrics are a little less inspired than his usual, but chilled and pleasant enough. 6/10 "Two knocks on your door The doorknob turns My stomach burns to say Can i take you home...to my house"
5. Swing Low - Rockier, edgier, and what Rocco does best. Love it! A nice beat, really showcases Rocco's destinctive voice. 8/10 "Lay me down Let me go Feeling heavy The ground is cold Lay me down Take it slow I'm ready to stumble, sing & then swing low"
6. Speak to Me - Not a stand-out track, but not bad either. 7/10 "Campaign slogans election year Fiction writer greatest fear Private letters instruction books Formulas ancient script"
7. How Fast - I'm very much undecided on this track. It starts well, love the intro, but for me it gets a little repetitive. Can't fault the music side of it though. 6/10 "Crawl into another cave All the things you tried to save On your arm it's engraved That the world's come apart"
8. Gravitate - Faster, rockier, a lot different from the rest of the CD...but it works. 7/10 "I'm jealous of the world The world is jealous of me I see the way that it turns Dumb and beautiful"
9. Mystified - Probably my favourite song on the CD. Mellow, soulful and easy to listen to. 9/10 "When my eyes hit the ground That means i'm afraid to succeed But it's a high to be down Praying for this disease"
10. Draw - This is one of a couple of tracks which really reminds me of the Stereophonics. Which I think is why I like it, but it sounds a little old. 7/10 "It could be simple My hand guide my pencil My head is a mad child scribbling circles"
11. Soul - Unfortunately by the end of the weird intro, I was already annoyed at the song. Which is a shame because it then gets rocky and pretty good. One to stick out! 7/10 "I can't believe you're saying That you've given to me all that you can I can't believe you're thinking At the top of your lungs this feels so bad"
12. Favor - Again with the stupid intros! Not really loving this song. 6/10 "Across your arm A blue ink pen Reminds you to think of others first So write down things That you can't say And do me a favor once in a while"
Average rating: 7.25 (not including two bonus tracks which would have pulled it up a little).
I'd recommend this CD for anyone who likes alternative, or alt-country, or anyone who wants to give a great new artist a try. Rocco is a really nice guy and very thoughtful, his lyrics definitely reflect this. Rumour has it Rocco is soon to release a follow-up and I for one can't wait!
The enhanced version of this CD - which includes video footage and two bonus tracks, Dillon (written for his son) and Daybreaker, is currently on sale at Play.com for only £5.99, which it is well worth in my opinion! I also just spotted it on Amazon Marketplace for 89p! For that price you MUST buy it!
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