ROBIN MCAULEY – Standing on the Edge

Now this is a real treat and what a joy it is to hear the best voice in rock i.e. Robin McAuley (MSG, ex-Survivor, Black Swan) firing on all cylinders throughout these eleven instantly appealing compositions that contain many interesting layers and nuances.

There is a melancholy tinge and a heartfelt quality to the lyrics and melodies here, and the sound of the record is luckily not as crystal clear or pristine as that of many other Frontiers-housed acts and outfits. Instead, they have opted for a sound that possesses a bit of crunch and warmth while still being full of clarity. The tunes are well-written and the arrangements are great, the choruses are just to die for, and while I liked the whole thing from the very beginning, it truly grew on me the more I listened to it. I take it that you also want some scorching riffs that are inspired by the blues? And fierce licks and memorable guitar solos that will take you straight back to the 80s? And what about sophisticated keyboards that are elegantly woven into beautifully crafted songs? You will find all of that and more here, but that wildly energetic and confident voice of McAuley’s is the best part of "Standing on the Edge".

I have absolutely no idea why McAuley is so ridiculously underrated as he rules both as a vocalist and a songwriter, but hopefully more people will pick up on just how brilliant he is now that "Standing on the Edge" is out. Varied but always exciting, this is a tasty and exquisite hard rock opus that oozes class and conviction – a hugely rewarding listening experience.

Robin Mcauley – Online