Rock Star: Supernova - Supernova - CD
Key item features
When Lukas Rossi was named the winner of the televised Rock Star Supernova competition, many viewers opined that the best man -- or woman -- for the job had been passed over in favor of the Canadian rocker. Rossi was chosen to join the supergroup consisting of veteran rockers Jason Newsted (Metallica), Tommy Lee (Motley Crue) and Gilby Clark (Guns N' Roses) and had the unenviable task of proving his critics wrong.
Backed by a crew of experienced, proven musicians, Rossi earns his spot with the release of Rock Star Supernova's self-titled debut. (Originally, the band was to be called simply "Supernova," but a lawsuit from a band already using that name prompted it to retain the TV show's title as part of its band name.) There's an interesting feel to this disc; it's a little bit retro and Rossi injects it with vocals that meander from Oasis to Tom Waits.
The good news for nay sayers who were waiting to be proven wrong is that Rossi fares better in the studio than he did on stage. His voice is more powerful and his words are more intelligible than on the show, and he rises to the musical challenges created by his new band mates.
Rock Star Supernova starts out mellow -- well, as mellow as these guys can get on a rock song -- with the ear-opening "It's On." This is a surprisingly positive-minded tune that looks at persevering even when things seem hopeless. And Rossi, whose vocals tended to sound strained on high notes when performing on television, steps up to the plate (and the mic) on this one.
The down-and-dirty "Leave the Lights On" is a definite pleaser; it's a grinding song that is pleasantly reminiscent of T. Rex's "Bang A Gong." It is fun and sexy with a relentless rhythm, and he makes it clear that if she wants to leave the lights on, that's fine, but everything else is coming off.
The album's most tender moments come on "Can't Bring Myself To Light This Fuse," an '80s-worthy power ballad that sees Rossi channeling his inner Liam Gallagher and giving it his all. This song, about knowing it's time to call it quits in a relationship -- but not having the strength to do it -- shows a bit of vulnerability in an otherwise hard-as-nails exterior. It's something that would be more expected on a Coldplay album, but Rock Star Supernova pulls it off nicely.
Viewers of the show will recognize the intro to the track "Underdog," as the song is an extension of the television show's theme song. It then segues into a very Sgt. Pepper-flavored rock tune. Although the disparate components of this song seem unlikely and splintered, the results are much better than one would expect.
Lukas' crowning moment on the show was the performance of his original composition, "Headspin." Here, the band has added meat and muscle to that tune, injecting it up with musical steroids and beefing it up so well that it dwarfs the original tune. It's clear that Rock Star Supernova just might provide the muscle Rossi needs to get off the porch and run with the big dogs.
By Paula Felps
Specs
- PerformerRock Star: Supernova
- Music genreRock
- Media formatCD
- Has parental advisory labelN
- Number of discs1
- Record labelSony Import
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When Lukas Rossi was named the winner of the televised Rock Star Supernova competition, many viewers opined that the best man -- or woman -- for the job had been passed over in favor of the Canadian rocker. Rossi was chosen to join the supergroup consisting of veteran rockers Jason Newsted (Metallica), Tommy Lee (Motley Crue) and Gilby Clark (Guns N' Roses) and had the unenviable task of proving his critics wrong.
Backed by a crew of experienced, proven musicians, Rossi earns his spot with the release of Rock Star Supernova's self-titled debut. (Originally, the band was to be called simply "Supernova," but a lawsuit from a band already using that name prompted it to retain the TV show's title as part of its band name.) There's an interesting feel to this disc; it's a little bit retro and Rossi injects it with vocals that meander from Oasis to Tom Waits.
The good news for nay sayers who were waiting to be proven wrong is that Rossi fares better in the studio than he did on stage. His voice is more powerful and his words are more intelligible than on the show, and he rises to the musical challenges created by his new band mates.
Rock Star Supernova starts out mellow -- well, as mellow as these guys can get on a rock song -- with the ear-opening "It's On." This is a surprisingly positive-minded tune that looks at persevering even when things seem hopeless. And Rossi, whose vocals tended to sound strained on high notes when performing on television, steps up to the plate (and the mic) on this one.
The down-and-dirty "Leave the Lights On" is a definite pleaser; it's a grinding song that is pleasantly reminiscent of T. Rex's "Bang A Gong." It is fun and sexy with a relentless rhythm, and he makes it clear that if she wants to leave the lights on, that's fine, but everything else is coming off.
The album's most tender moments come on "Can't Bring Myself To Light This Fuse," an '80s-worthy power ballad that sees Rossi channeling his inner Liam Gallagher and giving it his all. This song, about knowing it's time to call it quits in a relationship -- but not having the strength to do it -- shows a bit of vulnerability in an otherwise hard-as-nails exterior. It's something that would be more expected on a Coldplay album, but Rock Star Supernova pulls it off nicely.
Viewers of the show will recognize the intro to the track "Underdog," as the song is an extension of the television show's theme song. It then segues into a very Sgt. Pepper-flavored rock tune. Although the disparate components of this song seem unlikely and splintered, the results are much better than one would expect.
Lukas' crowning moment on the show was the performance of his original composition, "Headspin." Here, the band has added meat and muscle to that tune, injecting it up with musical steroids and beefing it up so well that it dwarfs the original tune. It's clear that Rock Star Supernova just might provide the muscle Rossi needs to get off the porch and run with the big dogs.
By Paula Felps
