by Franco Cerchiari
— Sr. Columnist —
Toby Hitchcock, the voice behind the excellent AOR staple Pride of Lions drops his second solo CD titled Reckoning released on the Frontiers Records label. Toby’s powerful, huge voice resonates throughout as songs awash with those sounds that are telltale AOR add full melody and structure. Softer, with more an emphasis on keyboards than the heavier guitars that was heard on his previous solo project, Mercury Down, as the tougher, edgier sound that Erik Martenssen (Eclipse/Nordic Union/W.E.T.) brought to Mercury Down has been replaced by true lighter AOR brought to life by Melodic Rock veterans Michael Palace (Cry of Dawn/Code Red/First Signal/Palace) and Daniel Flores (Mind’s Eye, Codex, The Murder of My Sweet.) But fans of Lionville, Shadowman, Airrace, or Miss Behavior will certainly find much to like about Reckoning, while those who liked the harder Mercury Down may need a spin or two of Reckoning to fully appreciate what is heard here.
However, when hearing such wonderful tunes like the excellent opening track, “No Surrender,” where Toby Hitchcock’s voice is front and center, the buildup of sound and passion as heard on the CD highlight “Fighting For My Life,” the gorgeous keyboards of the tender “Show Me How To Live,” and the Journey-esque “Queen Untouchable,” it becomes tough to not like what this release is about. Also worth noting are the synthesizers, drums and soaring chorus heard on” Gift of Flight,” the rocking “This Is Our World,” the pure Melodic Rock of the mid temp “Don’t Leave,” and the vibe of the 1980s is all over the closing track, “Someone Like You.”
Keyboards are the order of the day here, and while it would have been nice to hear tougher guitars, there is nothing at all wrong with Reckoning. The sound is pristine as Frontiers Records is so great at perfecting and presenting to fans of AOR. Toby’s voice is center stage, as his commanding voice echoes. Multi-layered arrangements make full use of each musical bar that adds up to music that is full, rich and speaker filling. The cover art that shows Toby in a contemplative mood is carried through the music of Reckoning, as these songs seem to have a personal meaning to the man who made this release possible.
All in all, well done is Reckoning with songs sung by one of the great voices in rock. Of course nothing that will be heard on useless American radio, but listen to this you should. For when those times when something more melodic, keyboard heavy and unadulterated AOR is needed, take a heed of Toby Hitchcock’s wonderful Reckoning.
Genre: AOR
Band Members
Toby Hitchcock – vocals
Daniel Flores – drums, keyboards
Michael Palace – guitar, bass
Track Listing
No Surrender
Promise Me
Show Me How To Live
Behind The Lies
Fighting For My Life
Serenity
Queen Untouchable
Gift Of Flight
Don’t Leave
This Is Our World
Someone Like You
Label: Frontiers Records
Website: www.facebook.com/tobyhitchcock
HRH Rating: 8/10
