CORNERSTONE - review added 28th September 2011
Album Review: Somewhere In America (2011)
For fans of: Rock
"Somewhere In America" is the second album from Austria's soft rocking Cornerstone, not to be confused with the hard rocking UK act of the identical moniker. Their last album "Head Over Heels" (2008) was reviewed on these pages a couple of years back. Since then the band has worked its way through a number of lead singers, now settling on the strong-voiced Patricia Hillinger.
The debut was of a similar tone to classic Fleetwood Mac. The new one is definitely a louder beast, taking reference from the softer end of Survivor (and other vintage American rock acts) as well as REM, U2 and so on. The band's spunkier edge is a marked improvement over the debut, though the vocals have traded subtle class for straight ahead excellence which (just occasionally) wants for character. The musicianship is as-before, meaning no theatrics or blow-your-socks-off trickery, just well balanced and performed music that fits the bill perfectly.
Song wise... Opener 'Stay' does little for me; it's energetic and will be great live, but is a bit too ordinary on record. The soft 'Rise And Shine' is utter brilliance and anything other than ordinary. 'Breathing For You' is a soft slice of excellence too. 'Right Or Wrong' sounds like one of those huge songs Diane Warren writes. And that's a good thing. 'Like A Stranger' isn't bad, but I'm still struggling to get excited about it several listens in.
'Follow You, Follow Me' is another one that doesn't hit the mark. The bouncy 'Being Unaware' is good at what it does, but it really isn't my thing style-wise. 'Oblivious' is kind of annoying, but in a really catchy want-to-play-it-again kind of way. Go figure. 'High And Low' is an entertaining soft rocker. Final track 'Strut' is another lovely sounding ballad that's up near the album's best.
In Summation:
When Cornerstone do ballads and soft rockers they sound a million dollars. When they play their more bouncy upbeat songs, they don't quite hit the spot...though I'm sure many of these tracks will be great on the stage. This is a good album by a good band. They clearly have the potential to create a great album and become a great band.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. Stay
02. Rise And Shine
03. Breathing For You
04. Right Or Wrong
05. Like A Stranger
06. Follow You, Follow Me
07. Being Unaware
08. Oblivious
09. High And Low
10. Strut
Band/Performers:
Patricia Hillinger - Vocals
Michael Wachelhofer - Bass, Keyboards and Vocals
Steve Wachelhofer - Guitars and Vocals
Mike Pawlowitsch - Drums and Percussion
Other Info:
Keyboard Programming by Horst-Dieter Steinhoefler
Recorded at SOUNDGRIP PRODUCTIONS, Vienna, Austria
Engineered and mixed by Kristian Ignatov
Mastered by THE SOUNDLAB, Pennsauken/ NJ, U.S.A..
ART DIRECTION & DESIGN: Reinhard Mueller/MRC
PHOTOGRAPHY: Reinhard Mueller/MRC, Christian, Enzlmueller/THE COCKPIT
Front Photo by Jens Peter Troelsen, New York, U.S.A..
Label: Atom Records
Artist's website(s): Cornerstone | MySpace | Facebook
