Album Review — RSO
RSO — Radio Free America
Richie Sambora is one of the most talented musicians in rock. He’s a fantastic guitar player with a great voice. He didn’t get to sing much in Bon Jovi but he has released three excellent solo records. Once I heard he left Bon Jovi I assumed it was time to continue his solo career, but instead he has teamed up with Orianthi (former Alice Cooper guitar player and solo artist herself) both personally and musically. Their first full-length album under the moniker RSO and titled Radio Free America was released May 11th. The album is basically two EPs that they have released over the last year plus some bonus tracks.
I decided for this review to go through each track and write down my notes as I listened to each song. I’ll wrap up my thoughts at the end with my rating.
Making History — good opener, lots of guitar. Sound good together. Good start.
We are Magic — Trade vocals in verse, more poppy, less guitar, good song, Orianthi more prominent in the vocal mix (this is a trend) when they sing together
Rise — more guitar, sing together again, wish sang more individually. Like the song, Richie sounds good.
Take Me — Richie vocal, slower almost jazzy, very little guitar, classical guitar solo, Richie vocal sounds good, no Orianthi vocals at all
Masterpiece — piano intro and drum track, Orianthi lead vocal, Richie bg vocals in chorus, very little guitar, Richie second verse vocal lead, Orianthi more prominent in chorus, guitar solo but little guitar through rest of song, like the song
Walk With Me — starts with acoustic guitar and steel guitar, reminds a bit of something off Lost Highway, Orianthi up front vocal, country feel, Richie up front on second verse, O more in chorus, O more prominent throughout, a little guitar solo at end
I Don’t Want to Have to Need You Now — excessive title, Richie main vocal, could be off Richie solo record, a little more of what I expected, classic Richie solo, catchy, could have been BJ song
Truth — sung together from the start, moody piano, sound good together, best song so far, great vocal performance, moody, powerful ballad
Together on the Outside — O lead vocal, more modern rock/pop, definitely not RS or BJ sounding, maybe more like O solo stuff?, not a bad song, different
Good Times — trade vocals, fun song, almost reggae, could be from a Corona commercial, reggae-style rap in bridge by someone, very poppy
Forever all the Way — first song not from one of the EPs, Richie takes lead, acoustic ballad, O bg vocals, bluesy guitar solo, borderline sappy ballad, Richie sounds good, song doesn’t stand out
I Got You Babe — yes, they cover that song, trade vocals, more upbeat version, still not a great song, tried to rock it up a little but hard to do, doesn’t do anything for me
One Night of Peace — starts with kids choir, orchestration, RS lead vocal, parts sound like The Answer from RS solo record but bigger, reminds me of a Bryan Adams movie song, bloated benefit song, doesn’t sound like it belongs on the record. eh, I’ll pass
Blues Won’t Leave Me Alone — O lead vocal, slower bluesy, reminds me of a John Mayer song, I do like her voice, cool bluesy guitar solo
Hellbound Train — cover song, don’t know song, RS lead vocal, fits his voice, more bluesy, would have liked more of this on album, RS guitar/vocals under used, why leave BJ and not feature incredible talents?, song shows missed opportunity for RS
Overall — some really good songs, could have been a lot heavier, especially from two guitarists, a few wasted tracks that could have made room for more rock.
So those are my thoughts as I listened to the record in full. I like the record and there are some very good songs. I expected more guitar considering both are very good players. And although I like when they sing together, I would have liked more songs where they sing individually. A lot of songs go back and forth and it doesn’t really fit the song.
I would have liked to drop 2 or 3 of the bonus tracks and add a couple of rock tracks which would have made the album much better.
Grade — 85 out of 100
Track Listing
1.Making History *
2. We Are Magic
3. Rise *
4. Take Me
5. Masterpiece *
6. Walk With Me
7. I Don’t Wanna Have To Need You Now *
8. Truth *
9. Together On the Outside
10. Good Times
11. Forever All the Way
12. I Got You Babe
13. One Night of Peace (Modern Mix)
14. Blues Won’t Leave Me Alone
15. Hellbound Train
*Best Songs