Paul Laine needs absolutely no introduction or special mention, since his name is not only familiar to all hard rock fans out there but, above all, is synonymous with undeniable quality. His work (primarily) with Danger Danger & The Defiants—but also, why not, with Darkhorse & Jetset Junkies—has given us great songs and, overall, remarkable albums. If you ask me, though, the absolute highlight of his career will always be his first solo album, “Stick It In Your Ear.” So, the news of the upcoming release of “The Long Road Back” set off alarm bells among fans of melodic rock everywhere, while the first single, “Love Me or Leave Me,” further heightened our anticipation—it was, in a word, impressive!
“The Long Road Back” will not only fail to disappoint anyone but is a clear contender for one of the best albums of the year…and we’re not exaggerating at all! We’re talking about an album that’s been meticulously crafted down to the last detail, with a crystal-clear and massive production bearing Bruno Ravel’s signature, while the compositions are all (and we mean all) catchy and reminiscent of the genre’s glory days. With songs that bring to mind the choruses of 1980s Bon Jovi, the optimism of Springsteen’s “Born in the USA,” and the carefree spirit of classic Van Halen, “The Long Road Back” is a hard rock masterpiece. In other times, we’d be talking about an instant classic that would dominate MTV and the radio. Now, Laine’s message carries even greater weight, as we live in an era of complete homogenization and generalization.
“The Long Road Back” finds Paul Laine…returning home after all these years. It’s clear that he feels more at ease in a purely solo setting, and I’d go so far as to say that—given the circumstances—the new album is right up there with “Stick It In Your Ear”. You get the picture…
Highlight: A cover sleeve that perfectly matches the overall vibe of the album.
Sakis Nikas
