Simon RushworthDare — Road To Eden (Legend Records)
Didn’t think Darren Wharton could ever top Out Of The Silence?
Dare to believe.
Out Of The Silence?
More like out of the wilderness after a six-year gap since Sacred Ground.
And it’s so good to hear Wharton and fellow founder member Vinny Burns back to their best on the melodic rock power trip that’s Road To Eden.
From start to finish this reassuringly slick record ripples with heartfelt hooks and waves of Celtic-inspired emotion.
But there are some hard lessons to be learnt beyond Road To Eden’s seemingly soft centre.
Would it be fair to call Dare’s first original release since 2016 a concept album?
Perhaps.
Almost every song here delivers a message linked to life, death and an acute awareness of everything in between.
For some, the key words might be lost — wrapped up, as they are, in layers of luscious melody.
In fact, a dominant Burns is on fire as his familiar fretwork ignites Cradle To The Grave, Only The Good Die Young and sumptuous set closer The Kingdom Come.
But Road To Eden’s quasi-religious thrust relies on the carefully crafted combination of lyrics and musicianship and in tandem they create a powerful package.
Out Of The Silence might have been more AOR-orientated than Dare’s latest effort and there’s nothing quite as poppy as Abandon here.
Burns even relies on a riff borrowed from Angus Young on opener bullish Born In The Storm!
And every so often there’s a harder edge at the heart of Road To Eden that should be exploited to the full when Wharton and co. tour later this year.
Destination AOR on Road To Eden
Despite a more angular approach to their melodic rock in 2022, nobody does pure AOR quite like Dare.
The subtle keys introducing Cradle To The Grave usher in a U2-meets Mike And The Mechanics vibe that works a treat for Wharton.
There’s more Living Years-esque fretwork behind the terrific title track but Burns’ brilliant intro. steals the show.
Laid back ballad Lovers And Friends — replete with its vibrant bassline — allows Wharton to soar with conviction.
And the gorgeous Grace harks back to peak Dare with an almost perfect, harmonised bridge. Just beautiful.
So are there any bumps in the Road To Eden?
It’s a relatively one-paced record, give or take the odd Burns breakout.
And critics could claim the mid-section is a little samey.
But Dare know their strengths and know their audience.
As such Road To Eden is a road well-travelled where Wharton’s concerned.
An impeccable production, that husky vocal and Burns at his pin-sharp best make for a record of the year contender.
If 2018’s unconvincing Out Of The Silence II left fans underwhelmed then Road To Eden is Dare’s road to redemption.
