Yes, rockers can show intelligence and signs of life, with lyrics able to say more than “I just want to rock and roll all night and party every day”. Here are a couple of samples.
The Intelligent Music Project boasts the core team of drummer Simon Phillips, vocalists Ronnie Romero, John Payne and Richard Grisman and rich guitar work of Bisser Ivanov supported by Ivalyo Zvezdomirov/b, Ivo Stefanovv and Ivo Stefanov/key. The songs range in inspiration from Bad Company (“We Keep On Running”) to the urgency of Kansas (“Run Away”, “The Final Act”) and Deep Purple (On the B3’d “Letting Me In”). Rich textures of strings make “The Things In Your Mind” and the pretty “Where I Belong” stand out, while Phillips shows his wares on “Rising” and the fusiony “Reflecting”. Intelligent designs.
The duo of pianist/keyboardist/vocalist Steve Rogers and guitarist Kurt Barabas bring in Ringo Starr’s drummer Gregg Bissonette along with a tasty team of guitarists Mike Keneally, Trey Gunn and Dave Nachamanoff with backing strings and other guest for this 12 song collection of thoughtful originals. Rogers’ voice is strong and in tenor tone, and the band is a mix of upbeat tunes a la STYX and a dash of fusion, as on the 70s rocker “Winter”, the chimey “Summer” and the dramatic “Autumn”. Bissonette’s drums are nimble on “Find Our Way Back Home” and “Spring” with creative and thoughtful lyrics about direction in life. Rogers comes across like a pilgrim on his own “Amazing Grace” and is rich with string support on “The Thin Line”. Reflective rocking.