Quick Reviews: Ronnie Atkins & Children Of The Sun

Rather than choose one or the other to make mention of, today I'm taking the opportunity to once again share more condensed thoughts on two albums. This way, you get two opinions for the price of one, and I can boil things down to only the necessary. Let's go.

Ronnie Atkins - Make It Count

Following just a year after his previous solo album, Ronnie Atkins is making the most of his time. Not letting his health issues get him down, he has another set of songs trying to find some optimism and light in a world that doesn't always make it easy to do so. That's most apparent on songs like "The Tracks We Leave Behind", which are softer and a bit cheesier than he could get away with if they were Pretty Maids songs. He wants to give us a few feel good moments in between the heavier and less hopeful songs.

The album follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, sounding like a continuation of that very solid record. Ronnie focuses on giving every song a strong chorus hook, and that is the clear appeal to these tracks. Whether it's a more pop track, or a heavier one that tip-toes around being metal, Ronnie's voice and melodies anchor things to the accessible. If I'm being honest, I don't think any of these songs quite reach the heights of the best songs off "One Shot", but it's good to hear Ronnie still sounding so good, and these songs are enjoyable enough on their own. There's still plenty to like about this one.

Children Of The Sun - Roots

We can call this vintage, rootsy, or hippie, but there's an admitted Woodstock influence to this band's take on the classic sounds of rock's early days. We get some bluesy classic rock along with a solid dose of folk, with perhaps a hint of psychedelica thrown in just to make sure we don't forget the time period the band is referencing. Josefina provides outstanding vocals throughout, showing there is no shortage of great singers coming out of the woodwork. Much of the record hits the sweet spot, but there are a few places where the folk slows things down a little too much, and the record drags where it perhaps could use a bit more energy.

A couple years ago, Lykantropi released their wondrous "Tales To Be Told". Children Of The Sun take inspiration from the same sounds, but filter them through the sunshine of an afternoon on the commune, rather than the moonlight around a campfire. I know which of those two I prefer, but both have their merit. I think Children Of The Sun could stand to hone their focus a bit more, but they show a fair amount of promise on this record. If they can grow and develop the way Lykantropi did, they have every chance of achieving the same feat.