In already a year of some great unexpected treats the newest one to come this way is arguably the most exciting and pleasurable.
“Thru Ever – Ending Black” the double debut album from composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer David J Caron, is nothing short of being wonderfully infectious and persistently compelling, its creativity and compulsive sounds the most satisfying and thrilling experience.
David J Caron is an Irish/Italian musician, who grew up in England but now resides in Ireland. He has marked his first steps into the music business nothing less than with a 28-track double album.
When it first came through the size of it and memories of other large albums led to a slight lack of enthusiasm, with its old school classic rock impression slightly off putting. What emerged to please the ear and heart though was a release which captivates with every minute and takes one on an enthralling and inspired melodic journey.
Caron crosses many genres with his album to ensure it does not easily sit in any which is glorious and frustrating for those that need to label.
Weaving meshes of melodic hard rock, AOR, metal, pop, progressive rock… the list goes on; he has created an album of majestic and contagious rock ‘n roll.
The tracks are straight forward yet carefully crafted and much more involved than initially assumed. There are also no excesses anywhere on the album, every element and sound as essential as the next and when a solo lights up the senses for example it is to add a depth and bring a fuller heart to a song, not merely to show off his skills and become an indulgent add-on.
The album opens with a bang and a quartet of songs which alone tell you all you need to know about the invention and songwriting craft of Caron.
“It Gathers” starts things off with a gentle but insistent beckoning before finding an eager pace to stomp through the ear with. First notable thing is the fine vocals of the artist. The song romps with a sure belief and addictive imagination, the keys and guitars lighting up the emotions as much as the stylish lyrics.
“Look Out” picks up from the excellent opening with a feast of insurgent niggling riffs and growling darkened bass lines. There is a throbbing essence which fuels the song beneath infectious hooks and another vocal display carrying more potency than any fiery attack.
Caron brings an anthemic essence to songs as much with his voice as musically which offers a seduction which is impossible not to join.
The absorbing “Time Machine” and the hypnotic “Coming To Get You” continue the breathtaking start and together they already convince one of the special talent at work.
The four songs so far bring a great mix of melodic rock with irrepressible commercial elements but plenty of firm muscular energy too. As the release progresses the tracks offer diverse and equally irresistible imagination and sounds.
There are mellower AOR toned songs like “Memory Magnetic” or the elegant midtempo “The Knights”, while “Dark Of Night” adds poppy elements to its catchiness.
“Thru Ever / Ending Black” took eighteen months to record and it is easy to hear where the time and attention went in making a release which engages on every level from the impressive lyrical content, irresistible sounds, and the seamless and organic merger every aspect of the songs.
Every instrument played, note expressed and word brought to life is the sole work of Caron with only Rob Mancini brought in to co-produce with a crystal clear sound.
Each track is varied like a star but part of and at one with an overall universal energy and sound, this makes for a release which is constantly mesmeric and openly accessible whilst perpetually intriguing and unpredictable.
Musically Caron is impressive as performer, his imaginative guitar play, keyboard ingenuity siren like and the wonderful gravelly bass invention he adds as viral as the striking and ever evolving rhythms.
David J Caron has musically produced something that’s quite different than the run of the mill stuff which we get lots of in the Melodic Rock field.
Very original and innovative, “Thru Ever / Ending Black” definitely opens new doors for a genre that needs renovation.
Excellent.
CD 1: Thru Ever
01 – It Gathers
02 – Look Out
03 – Time Machine
04 – Coming To Get You
05 – Memory Magnetic
06 – Feels Of Fire
07 – Frozen Ice
08 – Unbreakable
09 – Dark Of Night
10 – The Knights
11 – Too Much Little Time
12 – Who Are You
13 – Wall Of Life
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