FARCRY / OPTIMISM (2011)

The fact is that I had high expectations from this release. After their very good debut album back in 2009, FARCRY is back with "Optimism" to give us another excellent sample of pure melodic hard rock stuff! Melodies, great hooks and catchy choruses, up-tempo rhythmic tracks, strong performances and great guitar work. All these plus a solid production and there you have one of the best releases for this year!

"Satisfaction" is the opener track and what a great way to kick this effort into gear! An up-tempo hard rocker with a huge catchy chorus line and, of course, some inspired guitar work by Mr. Pete Fry! "Over And Over (Again)" is a more AORish tune with a strong chorus, a solid melodic rhythm and Giovi's excellent vocal performances. One of my favourite tunes from "Optimism"! "Nothing You Can Do" is , once again, a brilliant sample of what this band is capable of doing! An 80's straight forward melodic rock track with attitude which starts slowly and when it comes to chorus it's the real thing! Amazing hooks and a memorable chorus line! "Better Than This" is an acoustic mid-tempo which reminds me a bit of Jon Bon Jovi's earlier works. With "At First Sight" the boys are bringing back some memories of the 80's scene from bands such as Danger Danger and Firehouse. A feel good track with a strong chorus and some nice guitar licks from Pete Fry. "Now That It's Over" is a 'darker' tune while "Free" is another one mid-tempo Bon Jovi kinda of influenced tune and one of my personal favourites! "Best Of Me" is a highlight here! It has an incredible and memorable verse with a catchy chorus line filled with excellent vocal harmonies! "Too Hot To Hold" is rockin' hard and "When The Lights Go Down'", which is the last track, is melodic with a nice chorus and huge guitar work!

Overall, this is a brilliant melodic hard rock release from FARCRY! The boys achieved to release an album that will please every single fan of this gerne. It combines perfectly the 80's huge hard rock sound without 'modern' elements. Only passion, huge melodies, fun and great performances! For sure, this album will end up high in my this year's TOP 10 list! Well done!

HeavyParadise's Rating : 9/10

TRACK LIST : 01 - Satisfaction / 02 - Over And Over (Again) / 03 - Nothing You Can Do / 04 - Better Than This / 05 - Love At First Sight / 06 - Now That It's Over / 07 - Free / 08 - Best Of Me / 09 - Too Hot To Hold / 10 - When The Lights Go Down