Gettin' Your Rock On With X-Drive

Upon hearing some of the details behind fresh new band on the scene, X-Drive, I was rather excited to dive in and see what it sounded like.  Let me give you a picture of where I was beginning from.
  Unknown guitarist Jeremy Brunner came from Oregon to Los Angeles knowing no-one, but bringing with him an expansive catalog of his music.  Before long the star power such as James LoMenzo wielding his bass guitar would join Brunner in his quest.  You may recognize LoMenzo's name from the 80's sensation White Lion or his work with Megadeth, Ozzy Osbourne, Pride & Glory, Black Label Society, David Lee Roth, John Fogerty, Lynch Mob and Slash's Snakepit.  Also in the fold is vocalist Keith St. John whom you may know from Montrose, Quiet Riot, Lynch Mob, Sweet and Burning Rain.  As if that wasn't enough heavy hitting to get me interested, let's throw Wyn Davis (Black Sabbath, Dio, Whitesnake, Dokken) in as the mixer and to really blow the doors off, the album is produced by the late Andy Johns!  The X-Drive band is rounded out with Fred Fischer behind the kit and the aforementioned Brunner on guitar.

"California" has been issued in video format as the advance single, but I don't feel it's the best representation of the release.  The opening trio of "Love's a Bitch", "Get Your Rock On" and "Steppin' On The Rock" are better rock efforts loaded with catchy hooks, grinding riffs and some ripping solos, I'm already hooked!  "Baby Bye Bye" slows things down a little and is a great showcase for St. John's bluesy vocal prowess.  The more pop-radio friendly single "California" sits in the middle of the twelve song collection and is followed by "Lay Me Down", another catchy track.  Things really ramp up in the second half beginning with "Turn the Noize Down", a total 80's metal treat.  The ballad "Fly Beyond the Angels" is sandwiched between "Turn the Noize Down" and "Rattlesnake Eyes", another excellent 80's blast from the past.  "Just Can't Stay" with a ripping little guitar solo precedes the acoustic "Change of Heart" and"Love Breaks the Fool", oozing 80's vibes and reminding of Whitesnake shuts things down on another high note.  A great addition to the collection for fans of 80's melodic hard rock!

Cheers,
The Meister

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PURCHASE:  X-Drive - Get Your Rock On