Red & Black
Self-Released, 2019
8/10
A New York City singer-songwriter who walks across many different variations of rock, Ross Byron delivers 12 original tunes here, where he’s got something for everyone as it seems like it could have come out in any decade since the ‘70s.
The albums starts off with the hard rock sounds of “Private War”, where strong vocal work runs alongside an anthemic quality that even hints at classic rock, and “Life’s Been Good” follows with a power-pop approach that’s as memorable as it is timeless.
Near the middle, “Cat In The Hat” pairs strong drumming with equally strong rhythm in one of the album’s best, while “Sorry” finds Byron entering more pop-rock territory with a universally embraceable approach.
Deeper cuts bring us the pop oriented but certainly rock focused “Why”, and “Free To Be A Slave” recruits acoustic guitars before building into a metal influenced setting. “Medicine Show” ends the listen with a thicker approach that takes nods to the ‘70s but still with plenty of melody included.
Byron doesn’t coat his tunes in any overproduction nonsense, instead just delivering one raw, gritty yet tuneful track after another here that will be sure to strike a chord with fans of the early days of hard rock.
Travels well with: Balls Gone Wild- High Roller; Thobbe Englund- Hail To The Priest