ROBIN MCAULEY
"Soulbound" (Frontiers
Music SRL; 2025)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Robin McAuley returns with another eleven tracks of classic rock that bring you back to the days when hard rock and early heavy metal were all over the airwaves, the sales charts and the concert ticket sales.
"Soulbound" is a collection of solid 70s/80s-sounding rockers that feature Robin's inimitable voice and have a harder, heavier edge than the previous release, "Standing on the Edge." While I enjoyed "Standing on the Edge" (as you can tell from the review below), I found some of it too tame, too radio-friendly. There aren't very many moments of that on "Soulbound" ("Crazy" probably comes closest). The new album features heavier guitars and louder sounds. Nothing wrong with the softer stuff but "Soulbound" is more in my wheelhouse.
It's hard to pick a few favorite tracks because, really, I like them all, but the fiery, Scorpions-like "The Best of Me," the inspiring "Wonder of the World" and the high-powered closer, "There Was a Man" come immediately to mind.
I know Gene Simmons said that rock'n'roll is dead and, although I disagree, I must admit it's struggling. That being said, as long as artists like Robin McAuley are putting together rock'n'roll this good, I think it'll be a long, long time before the genre takes its final breath.
For more information, check out http://www.robinmcauley.com/.
"Standing on the Edge" (Frontiers
Music SRL; 2021)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Robin McAuley was the lead vocalist for the McAuley Schenker Group for three full studio albums, the lead vocalist for Survivor for five years and appears on a host of other recordings. If you know those bands or other works, you know what McAuley is delivering on this, his first solo album in over twenty years.
"Standing on the Edge" is 11 tracks of mostly mid-paced classic hard rock tunes, the kind you wouldn't be surprised to hear on a classic rock radio station. They've got catchy, crunchy guitar, fiery solos and McAuley's still-strong vocal styles.
A few songs slow the pace, including "Late December" and the most ballad-like track being "Run Away." These are your typical, slower, radio-friendly rock songs and, as usual, aren't my favorite songs on the album. Interestingly, my favorite two songs are the album's last two: "Like A Ghost" with its Deep Purple-like keyboards, and the fast-out-of-the-gate closer "Running Out of Time." "Like a Ghost" is one of those big, epic numbers that beg you to turn the volume up and "Running Out of Time" is one of the fastest-paced tracks on the CD, and closes the proceedings with a bold rocker that makes you yearn for more.
As mentioned above, if you know McAuley's work or are a fan of classic hard rock in the Deep Purple or Scorpions vein, you'll no doubt enjoy "Standing on the Edge."
For more information, check out http://www.robinmcauley.com/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
| Our writers choose
which products we review on RoughEdge.com, and we may earn an affiliate commission when you buy something through our website. Thanks, by the way! |
Copyright © 2025 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
