Max Navarro
It’s always cool when a CD comes through in the post, but when a CD comes through in the post from Italy it’s especially cool! This happened last week and when I opened it, I was presented with the latest offering from Italian/Canadian rocker Max Navarro, the album Hard Times. Having been noticed in 2005, Max has been writing and recording, influenced by the likes of Bon Jovi, Toto, Bryan Adams and Dire Straits, resulting in his own unique sound which promises to be something which you’re going to want to check out.
Opening with You Can Rely On there’s an immediate transportation to a calm and collected place, a place where the music simply envelops you and drags you along for the ride. The tone soon changes to a more upbeat approach, showing off the influences and crafting a sound which is accessible and catchy from the off. Gravelly vocals lead the way whilst guitar based backing adds further dimensions to things, creating an opening track which suggests this album could well be one to keep an eye on. Out Of Bounds (feat. Steve Palmano) continues the progression of things, this time opening with a soaring lead line before the track takes full form. Once again nodding to his influences, this is another track which harks back to the better days of rock and metal, resulting in a track which is simply rock music, no frills or unnecessary elements, just damned good music!
The Wrong Side comes up next and shows us a softer side to the music, this time opening with an acoustic line which is sure to get lighters in the air and people swinging along to the music. Soft and emotional, this is the kind of track which is going to get you sitting back, thinking about life and simply reflecting on everything around you. Despite the soft tone, there’s still a seriously catchy edge to proceedings on this one, once again showing that Max is able to compete with the bigger names on the scene. Nothing’s Guaranteed follows on and keeps the pace on the slower side initially, soon picking back up and launching us into another catchy melee of a track, one which is going to get you singing along and getting involved. This is music which has been crafted for the live scene, showing that Max doesn’t rely on studios or effects but can also put on a hell of a show – something I’m going to have to do my best to see at some point. Personally, this is my favourite track from the album, and I’ll own up to singing along after a couple of listens!
Moving through Cryin’, Winter In Chicago and Beyond The Silence we’re presented with a range of abilities from Max, offering moments of calm reflection and moments of more upbeat tempos, the latter track especially showing off the influences from the likes of Dire Straits. It’s when Poison Girl comes about that things really get going once again, offering us a track which could be straight out of the Bon Jovi song book – it’s catchy, powerful and has a really funky edge which is going to get people moving – definitely a track to make sure you check out. Closing with End Of The Universe we’re left with one last moment of sheer genius, closing with a serious sense of melody and power and achieving what every album should, leaving the audience wanting more. As the final moments of the album are played out it’s impossible not to admire Max and the efforts here, from start to finish creating an album which stands out as serious achievement, and one which will compete with bands of much bigger statures.
I didn’t really know what to expect when this album came through if I’m honest but I’m glad I went in to it not knowing what I was going to hear. What you’ve got here is an album which will take you an emotional journey, at times making you reflect on life and at other times, getting you upbeat and ready for a damned good dance, but the whole time walking along with you and guiding your way. Sure, there are going to be those who say it’s ‘too soft’ or something, but to me it’s a great album, and one to make sure you check out.
Check out Max Navarro’s Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with You Can Rely On there’s an immediate transportation to a calm and collected place, a place where the music simply envelops you and drags you along for the ride. The tone soon changes to a more upbeat approach, showing off the influences and crafting a sound which is accessible and catchy from the off. Gravelly vocals lead the way whilst guitar based backing adds further dimensions to things, creating an opening track which suggests this album could well be one to keep an eye on. Out Of Bounds (feat. Steve Palmano) continues the progression of things, this time opening with a soaring lead line before the track takes full form. Once again nodding to his influences, this is another track which harks back to the better days of rock and metal, resulting in a track which is simply rock music, no frills or unnecessary elements, just damned good music!
The Wrong Side comes up next and shows us a softer side to the music, this time opening with an acoustic line which is sure to get lighters in the air and people swinging along to the music. Soft and emotional, this is the kind of track which is going to get you sitting back, thinking about life and simply reflecting on everything around you. Despite the soft tone, there’s still a seriously catchy edge to proceedings on this one, once again showing that Max is able to compete with the bigger names on the scene. Nothing’s Guaranteed follows on and keeps the pace on the slower side initially, soon picking back up and launching us into another catchy melee of a track, one which is going to get you singing along and getting involved. This is music which has been crafted for the live scene, showing that Max doesn’t rely on studios or effects but can also put on a hell of a show – something I’m going to have to do my best to see at some point. Personally, this is my favourite track from the album, and I’ll own up to singing along after a couple of listens!
Moving through Cryin’, Winter In Chicago and Beyond The Silence we’re presented with a range of abilities from Max, offering moments of calm reflection and moments of more upbeat tempos, the latter track especially showing off the influences from the likes of Dire Straits. It’s when Poison Girl comes about that things really get going once again, offering us a track which could be straight out of the Bon Jovi song book – it’s catchy, powerful and has a really funky edge which is going to get people moving – definitely a track to make sure you check out. Closing with End Of The Universe we’re left with one last moment of sheer genius, closing with a serious sense of melody and power and achieving what every album should, leaving the audience wanting more. As the final moments of the album are played out it’s impossible not to admire Max and the efforts here, from start to finish creating an album which stands out as serious achievement, and one which will compete with bands of much bigger statures.
I didn’t really know what to expect when this album came through if I’m honest but I’m glad I went in to it not knowing what I was going to hear. What you’ve got here is an album which will take you an emotional journey, at times making you reflect on life and at other times, getting you upbeat and ready for a damned good dance, but the whole time walking along with you and guiding your way. Sure, there are going to be those who say it’s ‘too soft’ or something, but to me it’s a great album, and one to make sure you check out.
Check out Max Navarro’s Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls