As requested by many, we are featuring the essential two first BLANC FACES albums in its not so easy to find, out of print Japanese pressings. The band’s sophomore effort “Falling From The Moon” is another very good one, here including an exclusive bonus track.
As on the band’s self-titled debut, Robbie Blanc handles lead vocals and rhythm guitar while Brian bass duties. Session drummer Kyle Woodring (Survivor) also makes a return appearance on this album. Sadly, he passed away shortly after its completion, so “Falling From The Moon” is dedicated to his memory.
One thing quickly become apparent when you spin this album; from the start you know you’re listening to something special. This is the kind of music – call it AOR, melodic rock, arena rock – that was everywhere between 1988 and 1991. Think of those great bands you used to love – Foreigner, Alias, Valentine, Giant, Sheriff, Bad Company with Brian Howe. Blanc Faces channels all of them beautifully.
Indeed, many of the songs on “Falling From The Moon” have that classic AOR sound you’d swear this album has been locked in a vault for the last 30 years.
Smooth ballad “Deep in the Heart” could have been an Alias or Boulevard single, and rocking opener “I Come Alive” sounds like a Bad Company (circa Holy Water) hit. Every single song reminds you of a classic melodic rock band, but without sounding derivative.
You have to give the lion’s share of the credit to Robbie Le Blanc’s vocal performance. His voice is ultra smooth, but packs a punch when it needs to. His timbre is somewhere between Alias / Sheriff frontman Freddie Curci and Brian Howe, and that’s a damn good place to be.
Another key component of Blanc Faces’ formula is the presence of Pink Cream 69 mastermind Dennis Ward behind the mixing desk. Ward is probably the best mixing / mastering talent in the melodic rock world, and he adds his trademark polished touch / cohesion to this album.
Honestly, if you are a fan of this kind of music as the ‘80s rolled into the ‘90s, you absolutely have to own this album. “Falling From the Moon” is AOR / Melodic Rock perfection, and will instantly take you back thirty years when this beautiful music ruled the radio.
A Must
Tracklist:
1. I Come Alive [04:01]
2. Falling From The Moon [04:11]
3. I Swear To You [03:49]
4. Everything [04:22]
5. It's All About The Love [03:34]
6. Goodbye Summer Goodbye [04:28]
7. Deep In The Heart [04:14]
8. Don't Take It Away [04:13]
9. Like A Believer [03:47]
10. Light Of The World [03:09]
11. I Will [03:20]
12. Fly [04:10]
13. Deep In The Heart (Alternate Version) [04:26]
Blanc Faces – Falling From The Moon (Japan Edition) – 2010, FLAC+MP3
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