I grew up weaned on hard rock as practiced by such icons as Roth-era Van Halen, Whitesnake, Michael Schenker Group, and countless others. It’s a genre in commercial eclipse now, however, but rest assured that there are talented musicians, songwriters, and singers keeping that particular faith. Tony Sobak and his self-named band are among them. His newest release A Little More Time spotlights ten tracks that are full of abiding hard rock virtues, familiar themes with a personalized thrust, and stunning musicianship. Classic rock tropes are in evidence as well.
URL: https://anthonysobakmusic.com/
It doesn’t mean though that this is paint-by-numbers stuff. I am impressed with how Sobak pours old wine into new bottles without ever feeling like he’s retreading paths laid down by his betters. The first song “Donna” introduced me to his work in fine fashion. It covers a subject as old as rock and roll itself with a ballsy muscular arrangement that gives no quarter. The real highlight, however, is Sobak’s voice. He commanded my attention with a bluesy hard rock growl that emanates raw-boned authority in every line.
He can also turn on a dime. “A Little More Time” is a song that, as a 48-year-old, I will relate to more with each passing year. A young man wouldn’t ever write these lyrics and likely couldn’t relate. It is about life’s journey allowing us the space to find everything we’re seeking rather than cutting us off before we fulfill our self-ordained purpose. It delivers that message too without ever sinking into black despair. Framing its message within the classic context of mixing acoustic and electric guitar gives it extra punch.
The pulsing bass and machine gun persistent drumming that lays the groundwork for “Two Souls” slammed into me with the force of a sledgehammer. It is fluid, however, rather than heavy-handed and static so the guitar work jets over this foundation free to roam wherever it likes. It features another barnburner of a vocal, as well. “Like Heaven’s Wings” is a fire-breathing ballad sparking with intense passion and Sobak knocks me back on my heels with another jaw-dropping vocal. This track is an excellent choice for one of the album’s singles as it’s representative of the release as a whole.
The Florida-based singer reaches new heights with the penultimate number “Help Me Be Complete”. The plaintive yearning woven through this song resonates with me and has impressive intimacy despite its firepower. It’s a track that goes even further than its predecessors by incorporating synthesizers into the musical picture.
The album closer “To Find a Way” traverses a similar sonic path. I find it impossible to ignore the confessional attributes at the core of many Sobak songs and this is no different. The most impressive thing, however, is how well such self-reflection works in the context of the album’s hard rock template. It concludes A Little More Time on a bold and uncompromising note that invites us to keep coming back for more. I know I will.
Garth Thomas