You’ve got to hand it to Charlie Calv. Every project he comes up with has a remarkable similarity. That is – he delivers classic melodic rock records with a strong 80s background and that US East Coast musical touch, except no record ever sounds like anything else around at the time and nothing else, period. Shotgun Symphony and Skin Tag for example are both stand out bands with an original, left of center sound.
And so it is again with Radio Exile, featuring some of the most mature compositions of Charlie’s career to date.
Vocalist Chandler Mogul is someone who’s fronted some projects I love, but others I couldn’t stand. Thankfully in Charlie he has a great partner and his voice fits in perfectly.
You’ve got action from track one on this album – the no nonsense High Road, High Price and choppy No Pity On The Highway – bit for me the class of this album jumped a mile upon the arrival of the semi-acoustic earthy Feels Like Home. It’s a real gem.
The treats don’t stop there, as the guys channel Queen 1975 with the layered-pomp-harmony of Higher Than The Sun and still delivers with the moody melodic class of Hang On and the organ/synth soulfulness of Starting Over.
A Cross The Stone has to be one of the most soulful AOR songs in recent memories. Super slick, super smooth.
Road To Exile closes the album with a return to the choppy riff driven opening, delivering another memorable chorus.
Better once it gets going and once there, an unstoppable tour de melodic force. A terrific debut album from the guys, with a major production and some very memorable songs.
