Robin Brock: Press

Robin Brock, hailing from Canada, returns with her third independent release Monsters. With a vocal style that moderates somewhere between Ann Wilson and Pat Benatar, Brock's music is squarely in the melodic rock camp. Her emphasis has always been on a solid vocal performance presented over assertive rhythms, nimble guitar work, and well-crafted arrangements. In her own words, Ms. Brock attempts pursuing more modern rock stylings on Monsters. For the most part, she has succeeded. This disc, if anything, is both creative and eclectic moving between heavier melodic rock (New Addiction) to rock with some prog nuances (Monsters) to more demure and subtle movements (Solitary Girl). With all the different arrangements Brock still is able to cut a crafty melody and a catchy tune as Two Words, Master and Slave, and 7 Pieces prove. Sometimes she nearly rips it up like a true rocker as on Warrior or Fuel.

Robin Brock excels at what she does best putting her impressive vocal skills to some creative alternative melodic rock with equally clever twists. Her fans and curious newcomers should explore this vibrant and eclectic material.

Robin Brock, who does look surprisingly like the arty looking lady on the front of her album, was born in Calgary in Alberta, Canada. When she was still a baby her family moved west to British Columbia, although she has moved back and forth since.

It's therefore no surprise that the sound on Monsters is of an independent woman making the music she wants to make. Robin clearly isn't pandering to any supposed market demands with this album. Of course that could mean the album ended up being terrible - different for the sake of difference - but it isn't.

She lists her favourite artists as Kiss, Bryan Adams, Def Leppard, Richard Marx, Bon Jovi and more. Those sounds only rarely peak their heads through; Monsters has a different vibe than the majority of the material by any of those aforementioned artists. The writing skills of John Capek (Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker) undoubtedly goes someway towards that, as does Robin's none-mainstream (but excellent) singing tone.

The title track kicks things off and the closest associations I can make are Nine Inch Nails and White Zombie. There's a heavy electronica sound woven into a hard rocking lead riff. It's a groovy, catchy song...maybe not classically brilliant but certainly contagious. 'New Addiction' is a little weak in the verse but saved by a very catchy chorus.

'Two Words' doesn't do a lot for me. Fortunately, the superbly sleazy 'Master and Slave' follows. If you've never had a song make you feel dirty before, you need to hear this. It's mesmerisingly, filthily brilliant. And it needs a video. It really, really needs a video! '7 Pieces' is another song that's average through the verse and excellent at the chorus. It's a shame that the verses are a tad flat as there really is some superb material hidden away in these tracks.

'Solitary Girl' is pleasant, if understated. It demonstrates what a nice, slightly unusual voice Robin has. There's no doubt she can 'do beautiful' when she wants to, even if her main approach is full of fluid power. 'Fuel' is an intriguing, moorish song that's stripped back and synthesised yet cool and rocking. 'Power It Through' is even more synthesised and suffers as a result. 'Warrior' heads strongly back in the right direction. It's characterful, strong willed and has a great sound. It's the sort of music Doro should be recording. Final track 'The Witching Hour' references Black Sabbath in a big way. It's a fine way to finish the album.

Bit of a mixture this album. Some of it is distinctly average, some is good and some great. Overall it's a fine listen and works better as a whole than as individual songs. Saying that, there are a couple of tracks that really are genuinely good. I'd definitely like to hear more from Robin as I think Monsters only scratches the surface of what she's capable of.

Check out... That dirty track. I need a shower...

Co-written by Robin Brock and John Capek and Produced by John Capek. This is the evolution and resurrection of Canadian Rock singer/songwriter Robin Brock. 10 tracks of fiery, gritty guitars, infectious melodies and sing-a-long, addictive choruses, delivered in a playful, matter of fact, velvety edged voice.

Classic Rock with a little electronica going on in places with enough pop sensibilities to allow it to fare well commercially, even chart in many countries! Robin Brock could be a huge star if 'Monsters' gets some airplay! Now I believe that most of the lyrics are written with tongue firmly in cheek as they make Steel Panther and Spinal Tap look mature, but they're fun and it's great to hear a talented female singer give the lads a run for their money!

Rating 9/10

 

Hailed as a mix between the Wilson sisters and Pat Benatar, Canadian Songstress Robin Brock is once more pulling no punches with her third album entitled “Monsters”.

Monsters is again a mix of traditional hard rock with modern vibes running through it, with Brock’s angst filled vocals being the centre point.

The album opens up with the title track and instantly you feel that modern edginess to the album as the tuned out guitar sound acts as the foundation to Brock’s vocals, which are full of the female angst that only comes from brock.

I said this was a mix of the traditional and the modern and the next track “New Addiction” is  a prime example of the latter, a great up tempo rocker with a modern almost electro keyboards and plinky guitar sound, and with Brock’s vocal coming across like a modern Benatar, this is one of my favourites off the album.

But this album isn’t just out of the traps up tempo rock numbers, there are a couple of slower rock moments, while still retaining that angst filled layer and a prime example of this mix of elements is “Two Words”.

The more straight up rock comes in spades with “Master and Slave” and the superb “7 Pieces”.  Next up we bring the tempo down just a touch with “Solitary Girl” before raising it back up again with another angst filled rocker in “Fuel”.

That more modern vibe is brought through with “Power It Through” a complex mix of keyboards and guitars around a solid rhythm section. Then it’s time for another of my favourites from the album, the anthemic “Warrior.”

The album closes in fine style with “The Witching Hour” a touch of classic rock to finish off this fine album that will set tongues wagging in the melodic and Hard Rock communities for sure. Definitely one to watch out for in 2010.

 

 

 

Canadian female singer/songwriter ROBIN BROCK released her debut ’Blame it on rock and roll’ quite some time ago and after a review and even an interview with this talented musician it became a little quiet around her, although she released another album titled ‘Hidden power’, which was even produced by 80s Poprock king KEITH OLSEN, she now returns with her 3^rd album ‘Monsters’. Her voice is still excellent, but musically it sounds a little less classic 80s AOR/Melodic Rock than her earlier albums. ROBIN BECK, HEART and PAT BENATAR were clear comparisons in the past, but she has now added a lot of Modern Rock and even Industrial influences to her Melodic Poprocksound. Her voice is still reminding of mentioned female acts, but musically it is a step into the 2000s on ‘Monsters’. The AOR fans might be a little put off here therefore, but still this is a quality record with as highlights the uptempo Melodic Poprockers “7 Pieces” (a la CINDY VALENTINE/PAT BENATAR), “Fuel’ and “Warrior” (best song, a pure 80s type of rocker a la 80s LISA NEMZO).

Robin Brock- Black Velvet Magazine.com

Robin Brock is where real, no frills rock music lies. The Canadian songstress has created Monsters, a rock opus that is as natural and unblemished as rock music comes. The backing music of tracks such as the title track do have a slight industrial element to them,  there’s a dark, hard edge,  while Robin’s vocals sound like they were born for rock festival stages. Songs such as Two Words are powerful - there’s a lot of muscle going into the playing on the album.  All in all, Monsters is a mixture of the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s – there’s something for fans of classic rock, but it’s also applicable to fans of modern rock bands too. Two words?  Pretty Good!

SBV

Metallus.it      Review Translation Monsters (this was initially written in Italian)

 

Very few rockers know Robin Brock. She is a Canadian artist presented by a very bad “work art” and a label which normally gives privilege to emerging artists. She is emerging,  but above all, she is full of incredible energy! Let’s say she is something between Shania Twain and Lita Ford.  Of these examples, the English market knows various numbers of artists but for us to discover her has been especially pleasant because she did not become known to us through the big media.  So once again, a good artist is in the position of accepting the independent American market (and to fit to it), which alone could make up for 10 traditional Italian markets.

We would like to imagine Robin in a live pub somewhere in the Southern United States behind a metal barred grill, singing while she is drinking a beer. There would be a bunch of cowboys staring at her with open-mouthed fascination amongst applause and cheers from the crowd. Robin is pure Rock! Robin plays her music hard with pure melodic rock and is not for the indulgent. There is no poor quality sound but an accurate production in a clear voice with good songwriting.

Let’s imagine a pearl riding between the 80’s and 90’s who ended up here...who knows what miracle brought this about!

Rating 8/10

 

Her highly anticipated third release is an early candidate for best indie record of 2010. From the opening assault on your rhythmic senses of the title track that grab you and don't let go, MONSTERS strokes and caresses you, taking you on a 40 minute musical odyssey that defines the best of the scene, and could very well be the record that takes Robin Brock to the next level.

Cut from the same rocker chick cloth as the likes of Lee Aaron and Darby Mills, the comparisons between Robin and them are inevitable, and for good reason. Listening to several of the vocals on MONSTERS, you can't help but imagine what a duet with either of those Canadian legends would sound like. And those images are goooood. Robin has quite simply one of the best sets of pipes on the scene today. But MONSTERS is superb on more than just that level.

She's learned her craft well, previously working with some of the best, including Randy Bachman , and has learned patience is key to creating a record that's alive and with staying power. MONSTERS is ten songs of pounding rhythms and changing tempos, some of the best axe riffs in recent memory.

With the title track she's proven that she's here to make a statement, with an album full of relatable experiences and emotions. Every song has attitude and it's the collaborative production effort from Robin and her production team of John Capek (also co-writer of the songs), John Bailey and Phil Kaffel that bring it out.

"New Addiction" was written while she was healing from a broken ankle, showcasing the personal traps that one can fall in in life. But make no mistake about it - Robin Brock is heavy. But she might very well be the most diverse rocker chick today and combined with songwriting and production this strong, there are a number of tracks which are natural fits for new rock radio. "Master and Slave" has a natural anthemic rhythm, and with its powerful acoustic intro, "Two Words" is another standout, - one of the most personal set of lyrics on the record. The way she goes about telling someone to go to hell is a gem on an album that's her crowning achievement... so far.

Robin smoothly crosses being sultry to haunting in "Solitary Girl" and Seven Pieces," switching moods and atmospheres. The guitar work shines on "Fuel" and "The Witching Hour" and should be on every new rock radio station in the country. The overall appeal of MONSTERS can be partially attributed to the keyboards and slick effects in tracks like "Power It Through" and "Warrior" - enough to showcase her versatility, but at the core are still examples of great writing.

There's really not a single lull in MONSTERS, let alone a bad track. Some in fact are just plain exceptional. You'll have your own favourites. She ended 2009 by signing a European distribution deal, and it's no longer a case of her time is around the corner. Robin Brock is here. Get used to it, you'll be thankful you did because she's one of the best things going today.

 

Harder Edged modern sounding rock album from Robin than I expected that really works and she has some pitch bending effects on her voice too at times on the high sections.

Highlights include the opening industrial sounding title track ‘Monsters’; the strong rockin’ ‘Master And Slave’; the excellent definate hit sounding ‘Fuel’ that has a Sheryl Crow quality to it; the powerfully worded ‘Warrior’; the poppy ‘7 Pieces’ about being broken as a person with brilliant hooks and arrangement all-round & ‘New Addiction’. 

It’s an album that’s dynamic, fresh and has songs that don’t all sound like repeats of what you’ve heard already which is refreshing in this day and age.

An album that you simply can’t go wrong with.    9/10