In two albums, Find Me has already built a great reputation in the melodic rock scene. It must be said that, if the project formed by Robbie LaBlanc (Blanc Faces) and Daniel Flores (The Murder Of My Sweet, Issa, Mind's Eyes, etc...) does not shine by its originality, it nevertheless represents an all-risk insurance in terms of interpretation, composition and production qualities. After a four-year break, the American-Scandinavian band is back with the support of Johnny Trobro (Issa...) who occupies the position of bass player on several tracks.
Some will argue that the duo Flores - LaBlanc does not revolutionize the genre and it will not be possible to prove they are wrong. But rather than making an obsession with singularity at all costs, it will be a question here of enjoying a burst of tracks combining melody and dynamism without dead time. Only the ballad "One Last Kiss" sees the quintet lift its foot but the result is unstoppable, offering a captivating chorus and a new demonstration of Robbie LaBlanc's talent that splashes this opus from his class. If the singer offers a more aggressive performance than usual, it seems to be totally controled allowing the transmission of strong and varied emotions.
The ensemble remains firmly rooted in the 80's but has a wide and contemporary production that allows it not to sound dated, even if the keyboards regularly keep sounds marked by this period. Sometimes we think about Toto ('Chain Of Love'), Giant ('True Believer'), Survivor ('Show Me What You' d Die For') or Journey ('Waiting For A Lifetime') but never plagiarize. On the other hand, with titles such as 'Living A Lie', which Brother Firetribe would not have denied, or 'You Are The Only One', Find Me does not forget its Scandinavian origins to bring even more variety to the whole. Also noteworthy is the cover of Survivor's "Desperate Dreams", very (too?) respectful of the original version but followed by the powerful FM anthem "Only The Lonely" that closes this album in the form of fireworks with the support of Michael Palace on the guitar (also present on the catchy "Can't Let Go").
By releasing the handbrake, Find Me goes up one level while remaining very much influenced by legends of the genre. The result is exciting and shows an energy and freshness that carries with it all the reticence that could arise from a lack of originality. This opus is a tribute to a decade that has forever marked a musical style that seems to want to multiply releases of high quality at the beginning of this year. To be enjoyed without moderation!