Customer Reviews

Visions

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Danny Vaughn's career summarizes why I (and you, probably) love music - passionate yet powerful vocals, great lyrics, catchy melodies, good arrangements without overdoing things, extremely talented songwriting. From The Inside CD #2 (Visions) is no different. It's a bit punchier than the #1 album (sounding closer to Tyketto), but equally great. If you know any of Danny's prior work, you know what I mean and enough said. If you don't, go get some CDs and be instantly hooked by Danny's music.

I would recommend any of Danny's work - Tyketto's first two albums, Vaughn (solo band, three studio albuns released), Standing Alone (EP with acoustic versions of a few songs), From the Inside (2), Flesh & Blood (blues-rock project) and the classic "Save Your Prayers" album he recorded with Waysted (led by UFO bassist Pete Way).

Danny Vaughn and Jeff Scott Soto, in my opinion, are two of the most underrated artists of my generation. They should have been huge. If you have a chance to catch them live, don't miss it.

A fantastic follow up (albeit 4 years later) to the debut album of this band. Tyketto Alum lead vocalist Danny Vaughn has never sounded better. With songs in the style of Foreigner, Survivor, & REO Speedwagon to name a few, this album is great from the start to finish with IMHO, no filler. If you enjoy great harmonic vocals, fantastic guitar work, subtle, yet driving bass/rhythm section, This is a must buy.

"From the inside" is the melodic rock/AOR project built around highly acclaimed singer/songwriting Danny Vaughn and "Visions" is their second studio effort originally released in 2008, issued by Frontiers records. Much like "Frontiers" previous melodic rock projects, "Visions" is produced under an all-star line up featuring beyond the renowned singer, guitarist Jim Bell of "House of Lords", keyboardist Eric Ragno ("China Blue"), bassist Fabrizio Grossi ("Los Angeles") and drummer Peter Lobo.

On account of the impressive line-up, you can expect thick guitar parts, ever-present keyboard dressings and subtle rhythm section. Upon first play it becomes clear that beyond Vaughn's vocals, the protagonist instruments on the album are the guitars and keyboards. Bell in particular leaves a rather strong impression, whether it comes to rhythm parts or leads the guitarist holds nothing back adding solid riffs and uncompromising shredding similar to those found on a "House of Lords" album.

From a personal point of view, it is rather easy for one to underestimate the quality of this release as "Visions" strongest moments are to be found past track 5 (while usually album highlights are to be found early in the track list). Songs like "21st century", "Days of Hunger", "Moment to Moment" and "Push me off" are direct, uncomplicated and substantially melodic AOR tunes that should satisfy just about any fan of the genre.

If you are a fan of "Danny Vaughn", "Tyketto" and "House of Lords" you need not have any reserves regarding "Visions", the music is indeed as beautiful as its front cover.

I discovered Tyketto my sophomore year in college at a used music store. I was pretty much hooked, and when I heard that the lead singer had a solo album out a few years later (Soldiers and Sailors by the riverside) I bought that. And then everything else Danny Vaughn has been a part of. Visions is a great album, very up tempo, awesome sound. Even when the lyrics kind of miss, I still like the song, and of course Danny's such a great vocalist I've listened to it again and again.

The Good
Ex-Tyketto vocalist Danny Vaughn returns to the fold with the sophomore effort from his From the Inside project. The last release was 2005, with Vaughn churning out a solo album in 2007.

Big guitars, big melodies, and powerful vocals kick things into gear on the opening track "Light Years." Danny flexes his vocal prowess on "Making Waves." The track is a beautiful power ballad tribute to that special someone. "If It's Not Love" is pure ballad, only one of those heart-broken ones. Heavy piano and emotional vocal deliver really drive this one home.

Eric Ragno delivers the pulse of his keyboard to give "Listen to Your Heart" that 80s arena rock feel. Ragno is at it again on "21st Century." The combination of Vaughn melodies, driving keys, and melodic rhythms gives this one a Journey-feel. "Visions" is a steady track that builds to a thunderous apex. "One More Night in Heaven" is the pinnacle of power ballads. Great tone and emotional feel.

The Bad
Zip!

The Verdict
I thought Vaughn could never top his last solo effort Traveller. I labeled it the album of his career. Clearly Vaughn took the magic and glory from his solo album and brought it to his latest From the Inside project. This is melodic rock at its best. Danny has set the bar for the rest to follow.

For some reason I assumed the debut From the Inside offering in 2004 was a one-off; a project album Vaughn participated in for Frontiers that, as good as it was would not be repeated. The fact that it was probably my favorite Danny Vaughn album ever only increased my anticipation and expectations when plans for a follow-up were announced.

From the Inside's style is rooted firmly in the Journey and Foreigner-inspired AOR that is Frontiers' trademark than Vaughn's solo material, which tends to be a bit more personal and less constricted by genres. As a result, From the Inside resonates more with fans of the dynamic melodic rock of Tyketto. Visions doesn't quite meet the same standard as the debut, but it's still an absolutely first class melodic rock album. Danny Vaughn's powerful and emotional vocals can make even the most mundane songs sound exceptional, and the songwriting on Visions is anything but mundane. "Making Waves" and the title track are the album's two official singles, but at least ¾ of the songs on Visions are single quality and, in a perfect world, would be capable of tearing up the charts.

In the end, the difference between From the Inside and Visions comes down to something intangible. As good as Visions is, and it's better than most, From the Inside had an impact that was not unlike an electrical current. It hit my heart and my head and I knew within seconds that it was going to be the kind of album that would spend months in my CD player. Actually, the difference is similar to that of the first two Tyketto albums. Strength in Numbers was a great album, but Don't Come Easy was just at a whole other level. Visions doesn't quite recapture that same vibe, but it is on par with just about anything Vaughn has released since leaving Tyketto. It's a no-brainer for Danny Vaughn fans, and should appeal to fans of bands like Starbreaker, Place Vendome, Harem Scarem, Sunstorm, and similar AOR/melodic rock artists.

I don't want to steal the thunder of the 1st and only other review of this CD, but I have to say, they pretty much said it all, I have many
CD's of Danny's work, and haven't been disappointed with any of them.
and this CD is yet another success, to me it is orchestrated very, very
well, alot of touching lyrics which always hit home with me (on luv and life and of course lifes rocky ride).