Over the years we’ve seen pop, rock, and even Ambient Pop slowly erode into over-commercialized, corporate puppet shows providing music that is extremely sing songy, predictable, popish & highly corporate. I hereby call this new breed of music “Poser Rock” & I want to personally thank all the corporate giants for successfully transforming “Sex Drugs & Rock n Roll” into “Yoga, Vitamins, & Nikelback” Of course millions of musical lemmings don’t know the difference, but not everyone is highly entertained. Talking to many music fans out there the response is overwhelming. Give me something new, something passionate, something that’s pushes the envelope with a fresh sound that doesn’t leave its soul at the door. Something that doesn’t sound like Nikelback, Daughtry or Lifehouse.
[youtube 5BW3gtEFZvg nolink]So across my desk slides the new CD by Illinois based Richard Anthony entitled “Love is Power’ released in 2011. What I heard put a smile on my face. It’s a nice easy flowing record that delivers a solid rock feel. Anthony reminds me of Seal, Rob Thomas, with maybe a hint of Seven Mary Three and Nine Days. You will also hear a side of Power Pop, and even Ambient rock, and even Chill.. If you like the above bands you should definitely check out this CD. My favorite track is probably We Belong”. This songs vocal finale literary made my hair stand on its end. CD is available on CD BABY and can be downloaded on I — Tunes.
[youtube dYpx2-7EXD8 nolink]My only criticism — The overall CD is perhaps spreads itself way to thin across to many musical genres — creating what I would call a mild case of genera identity crisis. But let me go on record by saying “Love is Power” by Richard Anthony is clearly a solid release with many powerful messages with many feel good jazz/rock/pop grooves that’s just a pleasure to listen to. It’s a record that gives us a fresh glimpse at an amazing artist and takes us back a few years — before everything started sounding like — well Nikelback.
Kevin Huber
Edited by Cyrus Rhodes
