Alliance - Before Our Eyes
(Frontiers Music SRL – 2025)
(Genre: Rock)
Members of Boston, Sammy Hagar and GTR form Alliance, who deliver their first album on the Frontiers label. ‘Before Our Eyes’ is the sixth release for the band over their 30-year career.
Gary Pihl (Guitar), David Lauser (Drums) and Robert Berry (Vocals/Bass) are the protagonists on this release. This album evokes images of what many would consider the average 74-year-olds lifestyle. As it mostly meanders at a pedestrian pace that suggests slippers, cardigans and a comfy armchair are required.
Rather than old school rockers who still head bang as they might have in yesteryear. After a long day at work the album does serve as a nice calming, relaxed listen of an evening. The talent of the trio on hand does shine through naturally at times but lacks the ability to really grab your attention overall.
Focusing on the positives and the tracks that stand out in the eleven of offer then. ‘Too Many People’ provides groove and rhythm through the verses which help lift Robert Berry’s vocal style. ‘Can’t Stop Messin’’ is another track with a touch more groove and sees Gary Pihl deliver one of the better solos of the album. ‘100 Sad Goodbyes’ provides some good guitar passages throughout.
David Lauser also delivers behind the drumkit too. ‘Tonight’ is the penultimate track on the album and probably my favourite. Lauser’s drumming is the bedrock of the song which helps create a catchy energy rarely achieved by the album. These tracks aside, the album is very middle of the road for most of its 43 minutes run time.
If you put ‘Before Our Eyes’ on for a quiet evening listen as you unwind with a glass of wine in hand, you will likely get the most out of it.
By Carl Mace