Produced by metal guru
Bob Rock,
Tonic's heavy-handed
Head on Straight takes dead aim at arena rock circa 2002 via strong melodies, big choruses, thick, domineering guitars, and a solid backbeat. Singer
Emerson Hart proudly wears a broken heart on his tattered sleeve, especially on anthemic cuts such as "Take Me As I Am," "Do You Know," and "Believe Me," all of which showcase his expansive range and captivating emotive style evocative of
Bono,
Michael Hutchence, and
Eddie Vedder. Guitarist
Jeff Russo's pentatonic riffs, shimmering harmonics, and engaging arpeggios provide a perfect canvas for
Hart's bellow and bassist
Dan Lavery's funky staccato lines. Waxing political in "Irish" ("I won't die for England") and working out a blues mojo in "Rest Your Head,"
Tonic exudes confidence and conviction on a grand collection sans filler. ~ Tom Semioli