Tyketto – Closer To The Sun – Album Review – duffpress / silverliningmusic

Review By Darren McIntyre

Tyketto are a Hard Rock / AOR / Glam Metal band from New York City who originally formed in 1987 by former Waysted vocalist Danny Vaughn, the name comes from graffiti spotted on a wall in Brooklyn. The boys have given us Don’t Come Easy which included the hit single Forever Young in 1991, Strength In Numbers in 1994, Shine in 1995, Dig In Deep in 2012, Reach in 2016 & on the 20th March they deliver their blistering new album Closer To The Sun. To celebrate this new record the boys are heading out on tour with dates up and down the UK, please join me as I take us through this incredible new offering.

Higher Than High – The track kicks off with a real crunching, gritty guitar salvo that lets the rhythm section bring the noise as the snare drum punches allow the track to deliver a real meaty beat. The rippling keys are weaving their way through the arrangement as this foot stomping bruiser leaves it’s mark on us with a real fist pumping beat that just grabs our attention, the full on bassline drops in and hits us with a real sludgy, delicious groove that just wraps itself around this kick ass opener. The incredible, soulful vocals from Danny are sounding awesome as he controls the direction of this monster as it builds and builds with ease as the guys hit the ground running and let us feel the energy oozing from the opening track, Danny leans in with a real toe tapping harmonica sound that just gives the track depth, swagger and bags of attitude as they hit us with a barnstorming opener.

Starts With A Feeling – Acoustic strumming chords work with a crisp electric lick as this funky, mellow track unfolds as Danny leads the charge with awesome vocals that are fresh, strong and give the song meaning. The rhythm section is coming at us with a solid snare / bass kick that really lets the song breathe as the slick, sweet guitar licks wander freely through the song as a cool, mellow bassline hits us with a real meaty, funk laden groove that really gives the track some depth. The toe tapping groove is just on the money as Danny & the boys shift through the gears and leave no stone unturned as this well worked track grabs our attention with it’s soulful, melodic lyrics that let the keys take the track down the road as Ged lets his fingers do the talking for sure. This is a real feel good album that just instantly puts a smile on your face with the crisp licks, punchy grooves and delicious vocals that just give the track a nice edgy feel.

Bad For Good – A crunching, gritty guitar riff opens the track as the hard edged groove continues as the deep, meaty bassline kicks in from the getgo as this heavy bruiser erupts into life. The soaring, melodic vocals are weaving their way through the track as the boys come together and really let their passion flow as this foot stomping beast grabs us, the rhythm section is coming at us with a real meaty snare kick as the cymbal crashes rain down on us as the boys let it all hang out as we feel the energy roll through this awesome number. A sweet, crisp guitar solo explodes and really lets the tone tell it’s own story as the boys give us all they have in this awesome album(possibly the best thing they have done) as the melodies weave their way through the track and just get the juices flowing with it’s energy that is so hard to miss.

We Rise – Acoustic strumming chords ripple through the intro as Danny lets his colossal vocals lead the way in this melodic beast as it erupts into life with a solid snare / bass kick as the boys just kick in the doors and let us feel the emotion coming at us. The twin guitar assault is just stunning as they let the groove flow freely through the track as the song lets us feel the lyrics that are hitting us right now, the awesome keys section ripples with ease as Ged lets us feel the beat when a slick, crunchy guitar solo erupts and really lets us feel the pureness easing from every member of the band as they pour blood, sweat and tears into this blistering number.

Donnowwhuddidis – This is a real funky, rockier piece that allows the boys to express themselves as they release their inner beast with this toe tapping, punchy number that just puts a smile on your face. The rhythm section is commanding the room as the solid snare punches really allow the track to breathe, we have a cool, melodic mid section that lets Ged lean in with a cool piano section that works well with the soaring vocals that are tearing their way through this punchy, rocker track as the sweet, crisp electric guitar licks really let the track soar. The boys have really put everything into this album as they leave no stone unturned as they bounce off each other and let us feel the energy pouring from every member.

Closer To The Sun – A cool, melodic guitar pick opens the track as the rhythm section comes through with a deep bass kick that really gives the track depth and soul as the acoustic strumming chords weave their way through the opening intro. The soaring, melodic vocals really let the track fly as Danny offloads with ease as this epic rocker ballad lays itself bare, the snare punches work well with the arrangement as the deep, meaty bassline drops in and hits us with delicious tones that have swagger, depth and attitude as this awesome track builds and builds.

The tempo changes pace a little as Danny leans in and lets his smouldering vocals lead us through this incredible track as the boys shift through the gears and give us a real accomplished body of work that just puts a smile on your face with it’s toe tapping, thigh slapping beats that just tell us that this outfit are back on top of their game with this colossal slab of rock n roll.

Harleys & Indians(Riders In The Sky) – A gritty, punchy guitar salvo weaves it’s way through the opening intro as the husky vocals lean in and let this funky groover come at us with all it has. The rhythm section is bringing the heat with a cool snare / bass combo that gives the track some depth as the harmonica notes ripple through the track and give it added va va voom, the deep, meaty, delicious bassline is coming through as Chris gives us a real cool groove that really wraps itself around this killer track. The composition is a real party groove as the boys just let themselves go and bring us a real toe tapping ditty that just pops as the groove grabs us and lets us know that this new record is just bubbling under the surface as the boys unleash holy hell with every track as we feel the energy pouring from every musician as they ply their trade and show us what they are made of.

Hit Me Where It Hurts – A deep, gritty guitar riff opens the track as the rhythm section kicks in the doors and hits us with a fast paced snare beat that allows the track to grow and let us feel the energy driving right through the heart of this blistering track. Danny lets his colossal vocals lead the song as it really brings a swagger to the track as the sultry bassline drops in and brings a deep, funking groove that works, the quality of the workmanship here is something extraordinary as the boys have delivered a cool, meaty slab of rock n roll that just wraps itself around us as the boys set out their stall and peddle their wares as the album just delivers on every level for sure. The album is a real cut above as it gives us corker after corker with layer after layer of oozing grooves and incredible lyrics that instantly grab our attention as the boys tell their own story of this incredible piece of work.

The Picture – We have a real thought provoking piece coming at us as Danny leans in and lets his smouldering vocals take the track off down the road as a mellow piano tone lingers through the opening. This a real foot stomping ditty as the boys change pace as the classy guitar licks accompany the song as it wanders freely through the arrangement as it really expresses itself, snare taps let the rhythm section control the direction of this fantastic number as the snare punches fill the air as the boys shift through the gears and let us feel the emotion oozing from every musician as they really come at us with all they have. This is a real soulful track that just showcases the diverse nature of this band as we know they write a cool ballad but this track just elevates their creativity in spades, the tempo is just incredible as we let ourselves be taken on the journey with Danny and the boys as they let us feel the emotion flowing directly through the whole album.

Far & Away – Acoustic strumming chords ripple from the outset as Danny lets his smouldering, melodic vocals lead the way in this soothing track as we just slide back in our chair and feel the emotion wrapping itself around us. The story is just unfolding as the cool,mellow bassline hits us with a real dark, delicious tone that really grabs our attention as the boys dig deep and really tell their own story with this incredible slab of music, the bass kicks work well as they combine with a snare kick that allows the fiddle section to wander freely through the arrangement as the boys bring something different to the table with this fantastic track. The feel good track just puts a smile on your face as the boys bring us a toe tapping, groove track that really lets the tone weave it’s way through the song as the boys aim to finish on a high.

The Brave – We return to normal service as Danny & the boys bring us a cool, punchy piece that grabs our attention as they deliver a fantastic slab of music that firmly places them back at the top of the pile with it’s diverse, melodic tones that are just so uplifting, the piano tones that are littered throughout the track just let the groove wander through the track as the boys hit us with a real punchy, funk laden arrangement that really gives the album pace, tone and bags of energy as the sweet, melodic guitar solo ripples through the mid section as we let the dark, brooding bassline wrap itself around us as the boys shift through the gears and deliver us a kick ass, soulful slab of music that will have us reaching for the repeat button for sure.

Tyketto are back with a real barnstorming album that peels back the layers and gives us a well thought out, melodic album that just tells us that the boys are back and are coming for us, catch them on tour this April or miss them at your peril.

Tyketto –

Danny Vaughn – Lead / Backing Vocals / Electric / Acoustic Guitar / Keys / Percussion / Harmonica

Harry Scott Elliott – Lead / Rhythm Guitar / Percussion

Chris Childs – Bass / Percussion / Keys / Backing Vocals

Ged Rylands – Keys / Percussion / Backing Vocals

Johnny Dee – Drums / Percussion / Backing Vocals

Track Listing –

Higher Than High

Starts With A Feeling

Bad For Good

We Rise

Donnowhuddidis