JOHN CORABI – New Day (a review)

If you’re not familiar with American singer/songwriter John Corabi, aside from his association with a certain 80s LA metal band, well, you’ve got some catching up to do. Corabi is the singer in the latter day old school rock heroes THE DEAD DAISIES, and in the 80s fronted THE SCREAM, and later did a few albums with KISS alumni Bruce Kulick in UNION. His previous ‘solo’ releases included live recordings of songs from his past, covers, etc.. So, New Day marks John’s first solo album of newly written songs. And well, if you were expecting something nearing ’80s styled metal, you’d be greatly mistaken, A New Day is a dozen very earthy songs, with lots of influences, and details in an excellent production. There’s rock in songs like “Your Own Worst Enemy”, “1969”, and the easily likeable title track. But there’s also bits of southern rock, Americana, blues, even gospel…in gems like “When I Was Young”, “Love That’ll Never Be”, and “Faith, Hope And Love”. It all ends with a cool cover of Sly And The Family Stone’s “Everyday People”.

This is one of those special albums that has so much to offer, musically and lyrically. Hope there’s more to come from John along these lines. John’s a guy that’s fronted a few major bands, but I think his best music is here, now, and in the future. Fitting cover art!