Album Review: Revolution Saints - Rise

I didn't make any predictions, so there is no crow to eat, but I can say I'm a bit surprised to be sitting here reviewing the third album from Revolution Saints. That has nothing to say about the band, as I actually think their first album was really good, but these late-career 'supergroup' bands seldom last more than one album, or two at the most. So for them to be on the third go-round is actually rather impressive. They seem to have found enough of an audience to make it worth their while, and I commend that. However, they are a band that needs to kick things up a notch. As I mentioned, I thought their first album was really good, but their second album was a clear step down from those heights. I won't speculate why, though I have a few ideas, but album number three is the one that will define whether they are one of the better groups of this kind, or they were a one album wonder. Which is it?

Things get off to a good start with the first single, "When The Heartache Has Gone", which is a classic melodic rocker where Deen Castronovo gets to sing some smooth melodies (even if he seems a bit low in the mix), while Doug Aldrich adds in a shredding solo. It's exactly what you would expect from this kind of melodic rock, but it's just sharper than a lot of the other records the conveyor belt churns out, and Deen's voice gives it a unique identity. The bits where Jack Blades takes a few lines instantly sound more generic just by virtue of the tone of his voice.

I like melodic rock that still rocks, so "Rise" is the kind of track we need to hear more of. It's a bit heavier, has more energy, and that helps the record feel more urgent. It's easy for these bands to get too soft too often, and then the records feel rather limp and lifeless. There is actually a big difference between AOR and melodic rock, and too often bands cross over without realizing it.

With this album, Revolution Saints connect back to that first album, and deliver songs that hit on the promise of the genre. "Coming Home" and "Closer" inject a bit of drama, packed with strong melodies and an uplifting spirit. Melodic rock is supposed to make you feel good, and that's what Revolution Saints are giving us here. Is it a bit cheesy? Sure, but that's part of the charm. A little bit of that is fun, as long as it's kept in check, and it certainly is here.

A fresh year means a fresh start for every genre, a bit of a reset, and I find that very helpful. Without the distinction, every record would be another knot on a thread that never seems to end. They would be there, but they would all be the same. Revolution Saints are starting off 2020 on the melodic rock front, and in doing so they are giving us a good starting point. There will be a lot of similar records to come as the year unfolds, so it's nice to have a measuring stick that's worth using. "Rise" gets back to doing what Revolution Saints are best at, and that means we get a record well worth hearing if you're a melodic rock fan. And to think, January was at one time a wasteland for album releases. Getting us with fresh ears can be a good thing. It is for Revolution Saints.