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Livin’ Out Loud
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Johnny Lima
Livin’ Out Loud
Shock Pop Records
2009
Melodic Hard Rock
Mark Balogh
www.johnnylima.com
www.myspace.com/johnnylima
Rating:
4.5 stars

Here we have a great new disc from west coast rocker JOHNNY LIMA titled “Livin’ Out Loud” and it certainly is aptly titled! This is a LOUD and big record from Lima who many may be familiar with from his previous releases or even his recent production work on records from the likes of DIRTY PENNY and new supergroup FREAKSHOW.

Lima’s earlier works were compared to BON JOVI due to his similar and at times uncanny vocal style but each of his releases has progressively steered from that sound and it seems he’s finally found his own niche’ with “Livin’ Out Loud”.

“All I Wanna Do” opens the record in a big way with its crunchy guitar riffs and slick and punchy production. Lima’s BON JOVI-esque vocals are still there but he’s definitely found his own way musically.

“Wildflower” is another tune that starts of with a great guitar riff as the vocals kick in. The chorus is reminiscent of an almost vintage SLAUGHTER sound. “Hate To Love You” kicks things up a notch as Lima provides some nice underlying keyboard sounds lending an even more melodic flavor to this track.

It should be noted in addition to his singing, songwriting and production skills, Lima is also a man of many other talents as he provides guitar, bass and keys to “Livin’ Out Loud”. He features guest guitarists throughout such as NJ-based Danny Danzi, amongst others, but Lima handles just about all else, except the drums!

Additional tracks like “Caught In The Middle” and the title track “Livin’ Out Loud” (with it’s clear AC/DC vibe) are winners in a record full of vintage riffs and catchy songwriting.

“Hard To Say Goodbye” is about as close to the BON JOVI sound that Lima gets these days as its opening keyboards and total vibe remind you of the classic “I’d Die For You”, without sounding quite as urgent as the JOVI.

Livin’ Out Loud” is a cool record in that combines in-your-face hard rock with plenty of melody yet with current production values. It’s a total rock record in every sense of the word… without a ballad in sight. If your familiar with Johnny Lima’s work than you’ll definitely enjoy this but if you’re not then be sure to check it out.


Band Lineup:
  • Johnny Lima – Lead Vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards
  • Craig Takeshita – Guitars
  • Danny Danzi – Guitars
  • Christian Wolff – Guitars
  • Bernie F. Diaz – Drums
  • Brandon Baumann – Background vocals

 

Track Listing:
  1. All I Wanna Do
  2. Wildflower
  3. Hate To Love You
  4. I’m On Fire
  5. Somebody To Love
  6. Caught In The Middle
  7. Gimme Some Rock So I Can Roll
  8. Livin’ Out Loud
  9. Still Waiting For You
  10. Long Way Down
  11. Hard To Say Goodbye
  12. ‘Til Love Is Gone
  13. Nowhere Left To Go (bonus track)

 

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