Rock-Pop Review: Denoven-Retrofuturism

Release Date: October 9, 2020

Label: TimeArt Recordings

Website

If you remember the 80s and the music that was being played then you will love Retrofuturism from the artist known as Denoven. Straight away one of your first thoughts will be this is one of those uncovered gems that never got released. The process of putting it together started in 2018 and was completed this year. The album showcases one hell of a tight band and a lady with an incredible voice that goes up to 5 octaves, which is extremely rare.

Notably, tracks are featuring Pat Kelley and Mike Miller on guitar with the masterfully effective synth work by Denoven and commanding vocals. Other players in her band that you will recognize are the incredible Vinnie Colaiuta on drums with Neil Steubenhaus on bass.

So, if you are ready to rock and think of days gone by, this will do it for you and then some. So here we go into the music time machine…

If you can remember the days of dancing “Body to Body” or you are doing it now in your social distanced bubble then good for you! Here is some music that will keep those eternal embers burning. Although I think the song is about what happens after the dance.

“Just Wanna Love You” is one of my favorites, it features a band in sync and reminds me of the 80s and Friday nights dancing in San Francisco. It put a smile in my heart and soul. It is perfect for the period. Denoven’s voice is sultry smooth and very emotive albeit sexy. The point gets across loud and clear. There are some great background vocals and a cut like a new razor lead guitar three-quarters of the way through as the track gets closer to the end.

The quirky “Make Up Your Mind” takes you down another path, this time the progressive lane as mentioned on the website one sheet, it is “odd meter.” This proved to be the outright talent this band has and their ability to change it up so fast.

The ballad “Never Goes Away” would have been a hit back in the 80s and actually, it sounded timeless to me and it is a hit at any time on my radio dial. This was excellent musicianship and vocals on display. I found a lot of appreciation for what was being offered. Similarly, and more of a rocker, “Out of My Head,” is a reminder of the days when hormones were raging and the power of youth took complete control of your mind and body. And another great guitar lick comes front and center around three quarters into the track, putting the rocker stamp on it for good. In the end, Denoven lets her 5-octave vocals close out the track. Wow, what a finale that was!

“Radioactive” sounds radio ready and a sure-fire hit in the top forty in the 80s. This music may be close to four decades removed from now but today I enjoyed it as much as I would have then. That says it all for this music lover.

Retrofuturism is a solid group of tracks and the title befits the music, you have my guarantee. Are you ready to rock into the 80s again or maybe for the first time? Here comes Denoven!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-MuzikMan.net Founder
November 17, 2020
 

Track List:
01. Out of My Head 3:28                                 
02. Words in the Dark 3:48                           
03. Make Up Your Mind 4:01                           
04. Radioactive 4:02                                    
05. Who Do You Know 3:10                            
06. Body to Body 4:15                                 
07. You’re Someone I Could Know 4:13         
08. Hot as Ice 4:02                                            
09. Just Wanna Love You 3:35                      
10. Never Goes Away 4:14   

TOTAL TIME 38:08

Rock-Pop Review and Interview With Neal Smith For Pop 85/95 Album!

Release Date: June 1, 2020

Label: 2020 Neal Smith

Website

Leave it to a living legend like Alice Cooper to lend us a diamond in the rough. Cooper’s drummer Neal Smith, finds himself at a crossroads of pop and rock. At 72, the rock-musician-turned-solo-artist releases a set of songs that harken back to simpler times on Pop 85/95. In particularly thinking of all that’s occurring in this world, especially with the Coronavirus, Smith finds solace and simplicity in pop melodies and lyrics with rock flares throughout. With a time warp back to the 80s, the album is a great reflection of sentimentality and flashbacks to easier times.

“If I Only Had You,” revs the album up to a steady soft-rock start. With its even tempo and words of desire and love, it reflects on what could have been. The person in question who has moved on, might just be listening around the corner. “Dying to Love You” slows up almost immediately. Typically an album contains a number of songs before a ballad or song of sadness play on. The singer is in need of that long lost love, from years gone by. That is what brought him true happiness. “Secret Eyes” give off that cool, smokey vibe. The synthesizer combined with the drums and guitar makes way for the perfect ‘80s flashback.

If you want an enticing intro, look no further than “Love Sets the Night on Fire.” The piano/keyboard, back-and-forth notation combo, pulls the listener in to acknowledge a deep emotional state and build of excitement. Essentially, we as the listeners are anxious to hear what the singer is yearning for.”Distant Drum” finds itself in the middle of this album due to its dream-sequence sound and mood. Speaking of a drum that the singer can only make out now, but wishes for it back to keep it as his own again.

This time we take samples of Journey and Modern English’s “I’ll Stop the World” when “I Wanna Be Good, But I Don’t Know How” begins. The song is a rush of energy that the album is refueled by. This allows the listener to re-engage, should she or he be dissuaded or dissatisfied by the mellow tones of prior songs. “Love Can Run, Love Can Hide” sings of how the strongest emotions can be buried or subdued as hard and deep as possible, but in the end, when it comes to love – it always finds a way to materialize. “In a Heartbeat” is a heavily synthesized creation of pure excitement and conviction. The song is a great representation of how quickly and immediate something can occur or materialize when desired heavily enough.

As though the title of the song didn’t give away that this would be a sad tune of wish and desire to come back home, “Fly Home Sweet Angel” is peaceful and somber at the same time. “I Love You to Death” is the exact opposite of the track before. It is a jolt of energy and pure enjoyment. The themes of love and reminiscence are prevalent through Pop 85/95. It plays well with the concepts of sexy, a bit of risque, and relationships both sweet and sour. Finally, “All My Eyes Can See” plays with imagery and conceptualization of what our desires and perceptions see in the world and in our own mindsets; even when it comes to a specific love or just romantic interest.

Key Tracks include: “I Love You to Death,” “Secret Eyes,” “All My Eyes Can See”

Gregg Keniston - MuzikMan.net Staff
August 7, 2020

Track Listing:
01. If I Only Had You
02. Dying to Love You
03. Secret Eyes
04. Love Sets the Night on Fire
05. Distant Drum
06. I Wanna Be Good, But I Don’t Know How
07. Love Can Run, Love Can Hide
08. In a Heartbeat
09. Fly Home Sweet Angel
10. I Love You to Death
11. All My Eyes Can See