New Music Review: RONNIE ROMERO 'Raised On Radio'

RONNIE ROMERO 'Raised On Radio' - Cover Photo

Rating: 9 / 10 Stars

RONNIE ROMERO is: Ronnie Romero (vocals), Srdjan Brankovic (guitar), Javi Garcia (bass), Andy C (drums), and Alessandro Del Vecchio (keyboards)

Additional Musicians: Danny Gómez (guitar), Javier Reyes (guitar), and Corina Minda (background vocals)

REVIEW – As one of today’s most promising young hard rock vocalists, Ronnie Romero recently announced the forthcoming release of his first-ever cover album, titled “Raised On Radio”. Romero’s musical approach has been shaped by his interpretations of classics that have meant a great deal to him throughout the years. Here, Romero demonstrates his vocal prowess on songs by legends such as Survivor, Bad Company, Foreigner, Queen, and Led Zeppelin. On guitar, there’s Srdjan Brankovic (of The Big Deal and Alogia) and Javi Garcia (ex-Lords of Black), on bass, and Andy C (ex-Lords of Black) and Alessandro Del Vecchio (of Lords of Black) on drums.

Romero had previously worked with Serafino Perugino, Frontiers’ President and Head of A&R, and Perugino knew Romero could sing Melodic Rock/AOR, which is why he called him in for Sunstorm’s “Afterlife” in 2020. Perugino brought up the possibility of Romero covering legendary Classic Rock artists for a covers album while the two discussed Romero’s solo record for the label. The album “Raised On Radio” was created because Romero, who had grown up listening to and been affected by these music styles, understood exactly what he wanted to include on it.

While Romero has had a long and varied career, his performances as the lead singer of bands like Rainbow and the Michael Schenker Group have included some of the most memorable interpretations of rock standards ever recorded. With Lords Of Black, he’s covered classics by Journey, Queen, Rainbow, and more. As a result, “Raised on Radio” was already familiar ground for Romero, who had already tried his hand at covers of legendary artists.

However, Romero and his team instead chose to cover lesser-known, deep cuts by some of the most renowned bands of all time. You know the hidden treasures of your favorite band since you’ve been listening to them for a long time. Ronnie and his backing band of incredibly gifted musicians take on such masterpieces by Queen, Kansas, Elf, Uriah Heep, Bad Company, Foreigner, and more.

In addition to his work with Lords of Black, The Ferrymen, Sunstorm, Rainbow, and the Michael Schenker Group, Romero’s voice and active musical career have propelled him to the forefront of the hard rock/metal scene. This album is a special gift for fans as Romero continues to work on his debut solo album, which is presently being worked on.

To kick off ‘Raised On Radio,’ RONNIE ROMERO performs a cover GRAND FUNK RAILROAD’s “Sin’s A Good Man’s Brother,” which features crunch-filled riffs, thudding drums, and rumbling bass. The second song is a cover of “Backstreet Love Affair” by SURVIVOR, which will take your emotions and memories right into your heart. ROMERO’s cover of “No Smoke Without a Fire” by BAD COMPANY is a very catchy tune that just pulls you in thanks to some amazing musicianship and soaring vocal performances. The dreamy cover of “I Was Born To Love You” by Queens follows. “Play the Game Tonight” is a powerful cover version of the KANSAS song, and the next song is even better. “Carolina County Ball,” a cover of ELF, features a swaying groove that will make you want to move.

The next track, a cover of FOREIGNER’s “Girl On The Moon,” will transport you back to a time when you were young and in love with the music you heard. In the next song, ROMERO performs a fantastic rock cover of URIAH HEEP’s “Gypsy” that transports you back in time. In the next track, “Voices,” is a rocking cover of the classic RUSS BALLARD song with crunchy riffs and great vocals. You can’t go wrong with the next song a beautiful cover version of Bob Dylan’s classic “All Along The Watchtower,” which features some of the most impressive musicianship and powerful vocals you’ll hear on the record. Ending the album, RONNIE ROMERO covers LED ZEPPELIN’s “Since I’ve Been Loving You” and it just sends shivers down your spine.

If you were ‘Raised On Radio’ you’ll love this record!