The soaring choruses and choirboy vocals of Boston and Styx leave indelible fingerprints in this five-track EP from Canada-based singer/songwriter Cory M. Coons. The title track even opens like a Boston tune, with a chiming acoustic guitar that would’ve made “Amanda” swoon. Unsigned or independent artists usually don’t have songs with this kind of immaculate sheen so it’s no surprise that Coons managed to corral ‘80s AOR producer extraordinaire Ron Nevison to polish his recordings. For those unaware, Nevison helped revive Heart’s career in 1985 with a self-titled effort of Top-40 blockbusters (“These Dreams,” “What About Love”). Nevison’s slick style is a perfect match for Coons’ music, heavily influenced by ‘70s and ‘80s rock-radio anthems but with a rootsy undertow. Coons’ vocal style is reminiscent of Dennis DeYoung of Styx, Steve Perry of Journey, and the late Brad Delp of Boston. It is emotionally fragile yet percolating with unyielding optimism. On “Seven Year Itch,” Coons and Nevison capture that magical moment, when studio wizardry blends effortlessly with pop hooks. “Don’t let your music die alone and unsung,” Coons sings, a message to all to pursue your dreams before the “fountain of youth runs dry.” Appropriately, there is a killer guitar solo. Slower tracks such as “Remember Me” and “When a Dream Was All We Had” recalls the power ballads of the ‘80s, veering towards Bon Jovi at their commercial peak. Traces of country, folk, and the blues are filtered within the EP but this is classic rock at its finest and most attractively produced.
Website: http://corymcoons.com
