Andrea Palmieri – Reflections

Andrea Palmieri
Reflections
Label: Sliptrick Records
Out: October 22^nd, 2024
Playing time: 38:41

Not much is known about the history of the Italian Hard Rock project Andrea Palmieri. Guitarist and namesake Andrea Palmieri works together with bassist Alessandro Cersa. Other musicians are added to the studio recordings. Once again, I am forced to consult Facebook. The first entry dates back to December 2021, although the idea for this project seems to have been around since 2018. However, the debut album ‘Solitude’ was released in 2021. And it must have been successful, at least in Italy. So, the guitarist decided to produce the next album under the title ‘Reflections’.

The album starts with the melodic Rock song ‘No Turning Back’. Andrea Palmieri shows off his skills on the six-string. Especially with his solo. The guest musicians – singer Massimo Gerini and drummer Stefano Rutolini – also make a good impression. And bassist Alessandro Cersa provides some solid pressure. The contemplative ballad ‘Loneliness’ is dominated by clean guitar sounds and a strong bass line. Once again, a guitar solo is the crowning glory. The instrumental and ballad-like interlude ‘The Birth’ is characterised by a dominant bass and beautiful guitar hooks. On the other hand, the guitars fry right from the start on ‘Ironman’. A fine mid-tempo rocker with a pounding rhythm set by the drums. By far the longest track on the album – ‘The Mansion’ – starts as a contemplative ballad. But there are also rocking, even anthemic passages. The changes in melody and tempo give it a slightly progressive character. ‘The Sad Story Of Mr Brown’ has a slight Blues-Rock edge at the beginning. Later, the song tends towards mid-tempo AOR. The final song ‘They Are Gone’ is also rather quiet. At first, the guitar riffs sound alternately from both speaker channels. The rhythm is initially set by the cymbals and the hi-hat.

‘Reflections’ is a solid album. In my opinion, however, the sound is a little too soft. There is no doubt that there are good and experienced musicians here. However, I would prefer a bit more tempo and heaviness. This is only hinted at in places in some of the songs.

Andrea Palmieri – Loneliness: https://youtu.be/tQQ_atnj5Cg?si=jjXtwahZM5DNG3U6

Lineup:

Andrea Palmieri – Guitars
Alessandro Cersa – Bass

Additional Musicians:

Massimo Gerini – Vocals
Stefano Rutolini – Drums

Track list:

• No Turning Back
• Loneliness
• The Birth
• Ironman
• The Mansion
• The Sad Story Of Mr. Brown
• They Are Gone