by CA Marshall
So let's face it: when an Artist takes on an independent solo
career alongside their already thriving and established career with a band that
has chart-topping music, fans come to expect a certain ‘sound’ when the newest
album drops. With the recent release of Three Days Grace (TDG) keyboardist
& back up vocalist Dani Rosenoer’s solo album ‘Monkey Prison’ earlier this
month, he has broken all the rules in this unique compilation: there is not one
track that sounds anything remotely like TDG, it sounds like Dani.
So what does that mean? Well, when you begin listening to each
track you really don’t know where it’s going to go – which is exactly what
happened when I interviewed Rosenoer (which was probably the most fun interview
I’ve had in years!): the man’s extensive and expansive history in the music
industry is well documented and this album is an accumulation of these
experiences all in one. There is most always a prelude which ranges from (sometimes)
electromagnetic heart pumping energy, such as in the Album’s title track Monkey
Prison, to a progressive climactic ‘Opera’ vibe in a similarity titled song ‘Hiphopera’,
to completely unforgettable piano riffs that stretch the ordinary bounds of
what we are used to when we think in terms of ‘piano’ performances in the song ‘Onward’.
This is an album that was carefully thought out by Rosenoer and is
creative in its execution: there was a fabulous fundraising campaign that
offered fans exclusive benefits, behind the scenes videos of the making of the
album (now being released on the Artists Facebook Page), as well as hand delivered
‘Drop Cards’, given by Rosenoer himself which allow the recipients a FREE
DOWNLOAD of the album in its entirety.
I had the privilege of speaking to Rosenoer in November 2015 just
before a TDG concert in Edmonton, Alberta (Click Here to see the Article in ourDecember, 2015 Issue 2) and since, he has been actively communicating his
progress with this brilliant album to Starlight Music Chronicles and we feel
very privileged to be a part of his journey.
I first heard about Rosenoer’s solo project through a Reverbnation
contest in October, 2015 and was immediately impressed with his song ‘Legacy’
from the upcoming album. After much research and after connecting in November
2015, we continued to follow his journey with the launch of the Album earlier
this month and we will continue to do so. This is an Artist who clearly understands
what he wants to produce in terms of how far the boundaries of both sound and
lyrics should be stretched.
After listening to the compilation, it is safe to say that
everything from the high energy guitar riffs featured in the song ‘Taxi’ with
TDG Lead Guitarist Barry Stock, to the sinuous sounds created with violinist Eugene
Draw (Dr. Draw) in the song ‘Up In Lights’, this is an album that stretches the
bounds in terms of vast range in sound structure and theme. My personal
favorite would be ‘Place In The Sun’, a gentle melody which lends
summer-relaxed quality, and ‘Onward’, a highly addicting song with fast-paced
piano riffs and lyrics that leaves one with that ‘feel happy, I’ve-got-this’
kind of joy in their day.
In speaking to Rosenoer recently, he admitted that TDG fans that
were waiting for this release were surprised by the difference in sound from
what they had become accustomed to and that was really OK by him. ‘Some have
said it’s not ‘angry enough’ for them and that’s to be expected. I think ‘Song
For Alanna’ and ‘Onward’ are their favorites. I am not much for ‘angry rock’
but I do have to keep an open mind (when planning future compilations). With
that being said, folks who have heard it so far have said they love the album!’
said Rosenoer.
Starlight Music Chronicles doesn’t have an iconic ‘Two Thumbs Up’
method of evaluation but we do have the ‘Star System’ and for us, this album
was truly worthy of a review with a 4 out of 4 stars on our solar system of
music. Well done!
Social Media Links (Click to be directed):
Monkey Prison *exclusively* available through
 |
| Album Art for 'Monkey Prison' by Alanna Marie Nish |
Album Track List:
1. Monkey Prison
2. Legacy
3. Horizon (Feat. Alex Norman)
4. Onward
5. Place In The Sun
6. Hiphopera
7. Taxi (Feat. Barry Stock)
8. Up In Lights (Feat. Dr. Draw)
9. Minutes In Colour
10. Level Ten
11. Tycoon
12. We Are Villians (Feat. Andy Wood)
13. Song For Alanna
14. Morning, Day, And Night
