Review Summary: A different, creative, and really refreshing new entry into the hard rock genre.
Album: Neon
Label: Relectric
Website: http://www.VITNE.net
Primary Personnel:
Vitne, Julian Angel, Phil Robertson, Sean Emmel
"Neon" is the first full-length studio album by Vitne, which, after some research, is pronounced "Vit-neh" or "Vit-nuh." I came across this album after reading a review on another website which likened Vitne and his lead guitarist Julian Angel to a modern-day incarnation of the epic Billy Idol and Steve Stevens duo. That's quite a label, so I was excited yet still trying not to get my hopes up. Upon learning that his influences are hair-metal and Japanese rock and discovering how this album was made (recorded in multiple countries like Norway, USA, Germany, Canada), my interest was definitely piqued.
There is always some apprehension about new artists, and to make their mark they need to be something different and memorable. Vitne does just that with "Neon" by weaving together some really interesting influences: This is certainly not your average rock album. The opener "I/O" is trippy synthesizer, setting the mood for the first full album track, "Destroyer". "Destroyer" was the first single from the album, and is totally killer: Pounding drums, strong vocals, and great guitar work. Next is "Nasty Habit" which is very reminiscent of the best of KISS, followed by "Silhouette" which has a very Billy Idol-ish feel with the heavy synth lead and also features Vitne playing flute. This is something very cool and something I would love to hear more of because I think flute is a really under-used instrument in rock. Other standout songs are "To The Sky", "Cruisin" and the beautiful all-acoustic ballad "Rest in Peace" which perfectly closes the album. The only song I don't love is "Lick You Up", and the reasoning for that is that it's just not quite as catchy as the rest of the album.
As I said earlier, with new artists there is always some apprehension and uncertainty. Vitne delivers a great album and shatters all those feelings and instead impresses with an all-around great album. The singing is very cool and something a little different, especially for fans of glam and sleaze rock, with the overall feeling certainly reminiscent of Billy Idol. Julian Angel's lead guitar work is killer and the synth really makes this album shine. I would have to say that “Neon” is one of my favorite releases of late, and perhaps my favorite of 2013. Recommended.
