Save The World - 'Two'

The industry veteran duo behind it are Dan Tracey and Robert Wright. Tracey normally plays and sings with Alan Parsons and is also a big deal in the world of TV music (sadly not Thunderbirds). Wright is a top producer in Nashville and both men deliver virtuoso performances, although it is a very song-focused package with few solos or self-indulgences.

There are at least four songs that are ostensibly about girls and they help illustrate the variety of styles on offer. The elegant “When Amanda Hits the Stage” is one of Wright’s contributions and tells the tale of a forlorn man’s unrequited love for a dancer from a strip bar. In contrast, “Daphne Blue” is a gentle acoustic ballad which I initially misheard as ‘Daphne Broon’ and sadly that might spoil it for Scottish listeners, although rumour has it that this Daphne is in fact a guitar! “Miss Muse” is a fine riff-driven hair-metal tune while “Who’s That Girl” is a bouncier, lighter number.

Tracey is originally from New England and that shows itself in two particular songs. “Denslow Park” (Google says it’s in Windsor Locks, Connecticut) is a wistful pop-punk reflection on days gone by in a style reminiscent of ‘Stacey’s Mom’ whilst “Man on an Island” (sadly not Tracy Island) is an unabashed tribute to Boston (the band) in both musical style and lyrical references.

The heavier tracks include “Illuminati” and the jingoistic military tune “Defenders of the Faith” – one of a few songs that seems to come with ‘a message’, including the excellent melodic rock of “Bones” and the opener “Camera Obscura”.

This is one record that definitely can’t be accused of fitting a formula and I definitely recommend checking it out if you’re curious for new music. ‘One’ is being re-released too I believe.