What’s the 4-1-1?
One Man’s Year is an album that transcends categories, as it describes that entire arc of a young artist's career, from hunger to satisfaction, from self-rejection to self-discovery, from bitterness and disappointment in yourself to the most profound and life-affirming direction home. This is Lopez’s debut album.
Genre
Rock / pop-rock / alternative
The Good
Electronic effects mixed with a hook laden guitar riff help set the soundtrack to “Vacation." Lopez has a smooth, yet rugged vocal delivery as he expresses his undying devotion to his lover. I don’t know if he plans to release a single to radio, but this would be my pick. “All the Stars” is a slow tempo track that blends acoustic chord changes with electric licks. Once again Lopez pens an undeniably captivating chorus. “Under My Cloud” has a seventies era David Bowie feel to it with Beatles-esque chord changes.
“Shadows” has some great guitar note bending despite its dark overtones. Electronic effects return on “North and South” to help accent the soulful vocals and emotional lyrics. “Dirty Roses” sounds like a lost fifties song that was resurrected and rearranged for modern times. Lopez really shows he’s diversity on the vocal highs and vocal lows. Rene closes out the album with the piano heavy ballad “Walk Through Walls." He employs a female vocalist that blends nicely with his vocal style.
The Bad
Rene’s got a great voice, but I just wasn’t diggin’ it on “Only I know."
The Verdict
I’ve always said that some of the best rock music out there is on the independent labels. One Man’s Year is a perfect example of this.
Did You Know?
Rene Lopez is also working with Harper Simon (Paul Simon’s son) and Edie Brickell (Mrs. Paul Simon) on a project called Belle Star.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Originally posted by author at Rock-Is-Life.com
Article comments