Perfect View Hits A Perfect Melodic Note On "Timeless"

As the melodic rock industry here in the United States marches toward extinction, Europe continues to be the go-to region for this genre. Modena Italy is a place known for their Opera and their Lamborghinis. It's not the first place you'd look for a rock band. But this is the home of Perfect View. A group that has been together for close to a decade.

Their latest album is called "Timeless" and it is their best release of the three albums they've created so far. The quality of songwriting and production on this record is a step above their previous two albums on the now defunct Avenue of Allies record label. Lion's Pride Music is their new home and the new label has obviously inspired these Italians to reach deep into the melodic universe. The result is one of the strongest AOR records of 2018. The influences are numerous but are guiding forces rather than direct steering currents. There are bits and pieces of bands like Asia, Steelheart, Rush, Boston, Journey and Survivor. But the bulk of this work carves out it's own niche. Lead vocalist Marco Ciancio is an Olympic quality tenor whose voice effortlessly soars into the stratosphere.

The collection's first song "Stop Me, Kill Me, Leave Me" is a first class rocker with guitars and keyboards intertwining and creating a clean wall of sound for Ciancio to sing over. The lyrics are quick to draw your attention. "Can't Stop The Fire" showcases the smooth fret work of Francesco Cataldo. His guitar playing recalls Frankie Sullivan or Dan Huff. The song itself is a thing of beauty with it's memorable melody and chorus. "Shades of Us" is a choppy guitar riff rocker with a few twists and turns. Luca Ferraresi makes the drum kit look easy as he adds the right amount of power and precision to a very well oiled machine. Bassist Frank Paulis nicely compliments Ferraresi as the two make a fine rhythm section.

"Your Love Is Gone" is a classic power ballad with another truly convincing hook and chorus. The keyboards are manned by Marco Tedeschi who employs a rich, full palette of sounds. His presence on this album certainly helps deliver an 80's vibe.

"Timeless" has no filler tracks. Some of the other standouts include "No Regrets", "Fallin'", the keyboard laced "Promises", "Outlaw" and "Lorelai" (not the Styx tune). "Timeless" (the title track) is an amazing song which showcases the incredible vocal range of Ciancio.

All of these tracks have a hard rocking template and are infused with Ciancio's vocal gymnastics and Cataldo's masterful guitar work. There are 12 songs on this album and they are all worth listening to.

Typically I have to spend time with an album to understand it and really get into it. Not with this one. These are instant classics. Clearly there was a lot of work put into this. This band would have made waves here in the states years ago back when a support system existed. Nowadays we have to use articles like this one and our own curiosity to find the music we used to hear on the radio. Perfect View has created the perfect melodic rock release. 5 Stars.