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Ryan Roxie: Imagine Your Reality

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR

5.0/5.0

Website Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
Cargo Records
Releasing: 25.05.2018
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 16.05.2018

Over some 30 plus years, guitarist Ryan Roxie has had a long and prolific music career. He's worked with Gilby Clarke, Slash's Snake Pit, Casablanca, and his hybrid Swedish American band Roxie 77 to name a few. But you probably know him best as Alice Cooper's long serving guitar player. After all these years, with Imagine Your Reality Roxie has finally got around to making a solo album, and it's a fine one.

Ryan Roxie

Perhaps the best description of the songs within Imagine Your Reality is the most simple one. These tunes are three minute guitar driven songs with sharp riffs, sweet melodies, catchy refrains and, of course, killer guitar solos. Roxie is a fine songwriter and packs a lot of punch in a short song. Take, for instance, the theme from his pod cast, Big Rock Show, a crisp brisk rocker at 1:35 minutes.

But there's more. Cheap Trick's Robin Zander lends his voice to California Man, something of a mix between Chuck Berry classic rock and rock-a-billy. Something heavier comes with Generation Me which deals sharp riffs, hooks in the lyrics, and a thrilling solo. Even sharper are the riffs that torch up Look Me In The Eye, yet get tempered by some fine vocal harmony. For something a bit quirky, there's the beat and groove of the Uh Oh Song, where the melody, vocals, and guitar lines follows the lyrics, notably in the refrain. Something lighter comes with Hearts In Trouble which moves by the smooth groove of the bass, Roxie's crisp guitar work, and a lilting background harmonious vocal arrangement. There's more to explore, but I leave that to you. Get the album and enjoy. Ryan Roxie's first solo album, Imagine Your Reality is a fine one, a sweet mix of classic rock and power pop in three minute songs. Easily recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Ryan Roxie's first solo album, Imagine Your Reality is a fine one, a sweet mix of classic rock and power pop in three minute songs. Easily recommended.

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