Evolution Eden: ‘Sonic Cinema’

EVOLUTION EDEN
SONIC CINEMA
To be released on March 31, 2023 (Lions Pride Music)

Review:
California rockers Evolution Eden have been around now for the best part of two decades and, in that time, have guested on tours by everyone from The Babys through to KIX and Tom Keifer as well as headlining hundreds of their own shows. This is their sixth official release and the first since 2020’s well received – and rather excellent in my opinion – Audio Therapy.

I believe the tracks are listed differently on the official release, but my promo copy starts with the lovely, uplifting acoustically led ballad “A Good Thing” before launching into the sleazy and ever so slightly grunge-like “Bad Habit I Don’t Wanna Break” which then flows into the sturdy lead-off single “Blood Runs Wild” that rocks the speakers like a forearm smash. It’s that good! The chorus driven, airwave ready “Don’t Let It Go To Waste” blends perfectly into the cheerful Poison-like “Here’s To The Good Times” which even comes complete with a fine Bret Michaels type delivery.

The driving “I Gotta Find My Way Back To You” has more than an essence of Night Ranger to it, as did “If Love Is War” which slightly passed me by until the stirring “Land of Oz” undid that very slight blip completely with its stripped down honesty. The good time classic rock of “Love’s Got A Mind Of Its Own” will be an obvious crowd pleaser, alongside the gritty, stomping anthem “Music Man” and the similarly rousing “On With The Show” before my copy closes with the pleasing, mid-tempo nostalgia fuelled excellence of “The Wild Ones.”

The guitars and alternate lead vocals of Brandon Owen and Mike “Pap” Pappas are perfectly suited to this feel-good set, with my personal preference being whichever one sings lead on the lead-off single for the extra gruffness in delivery, but both are nevertheless in fine form throughout. The faultless rhythm section of Mike McShane on bass and Brian Powell on drums also add consistently polished harmonies across this neatly produced album.

Evolution Eden certainly know their way around a hook-laden, chorus driven song and that is more than evident on this cool collection of summertime, road trip rock that is a more than worthy follow up to Audio Therapy – and possibly even better!

Track List:
01. On With The Show
02. Blood Runs Wild
03. Here’s To The Good Times
04. Love’s Got A Mind Of Its Own
05. A Good Thing
06. Music Man
07. Bad Habit I Don’t Wanna Break
08. The Wild Ones
09. If Love Is War
10. Don’t Let It Go To Waste
11. I Gotta Find My Way Back To You
12. Land of Oz

Band Members:
Brandon Owen – guitar, lead vocals
Mike “Pap” Pappas – rhythm guitar, lead vocals
Mike McShane – bass
Brian Powell – drums

Band Websites:
Official Website
Facebook

Reviewed by Rockney Colin for Sleaze Roxx, March 2023

Evolution Eden‘s “Blood Runs Wild” video:

Evolution Eden‘s Sonic Cinema Sampler: