“Paralyzed” is the third studio album from the hard rock supergroup Black Swan, featuring Robin McAuley, Reb Beach, Jeff Pilson, Matt Starr, and others. Their debut really ‘shook my world’ (pun intended), but the follow-up “Generation Mind” had me scratching my head a bit, with its somewhat more somber atmosphere. Enter “Paralyzed” and things are looking up again.
“When the Cold Wind Blows” is a fantastic, powerful opener that hits hard after a short but sweet intro and keeps building, managing to sound like a mix of MSG with slight Dio (the band) mid-era references. What not to like? Actually, scratch that. One of the best tracks I’ve heard this year. There… that’s more like it.
“Death of Me” is a feel-good, hard-edged rock-and-roller with a cascading chorus and a pretty awesome solo. The works. If this doesn’t get ya moving, you must have a bad hip or something…
“Different Kind of Woman” has a rather strong vibe of late 80s/early 90s melodic rock, think maybe Winger or Cinderella, and is a glorious mid-tempo number that is not afraid to show its claws. Scratchy & territorial with its strong drive winning you over easily.
“If I Was King” is another of the singles, with an awesome bass line, a driving rhythm, and an awesome chorus with McAuley’s soaring vocals sounding almost as timeless as they did back in the day… this is the good stuff! Massive!
“Shakedown” must not have gotten the memo that we’re not in the 80s anymore… and it just does what it does best; it’s a pretty anthemic tune with a simple enough chorus that, however, works like a charm. Hey, welcome to the new 20s.
Reb, you son of a Beach…. (haha), “The Fire and The Flame” is a pretty cool mid-tempo with melodic bridges and a chorus that just won’t quit. Ohh and a helluva solo by the aforementioned gentleman. Holy Smokes.
“I’m Ready” is the obligatory slower song… kinda of a ballad, and if you can dig something that sounds like a much harder Bad Company, this is more or less an apt description…
“Paralyzed” had me thinking – a title track, this must be pretty awesome… and I can’t say that it’s a false statement. It drops down the gauntlet and then picks it up and rhythmically keeps rocking the @$@$@ out of it. It’s fairly fast-paced, with lots of energy and copious amounts of melody that you can’t help but to sub come to.
“Carry On” opens with a pretty awesome riff, and if it were a little harder and faster, I’d sort of have to check twice that this wasn’t a cool Twisted Sister tune; I mean, McAuley goes really gritty on certain lines here but also channels his usual melodic self as well in equal parts. Carry on, lads! You’re doing all the right things.
“Battered and Bruised” has a bit of a nastier, meaner streak. In a parallel universe and with a few tweaks, it wouldn’t feel out of place in one of the earlier works of Thunder or not necessarily Whitesnake, but you get the idea. Not a bad inclusion.
“What the Future Holds” opens with some funky, chunky bass and has the guitar and bass playing off each other, while Robin vibes in between. It’s mixing up a load of great influences, but what matters is that it delivers the goods.
And…. wow, all I can say is wow. A seriously great third album by Robin and co., and hats off to you, gentlemen!!! You’ve done it again!
