RONNIE BORCHERT – Change

There are some albums that start off good and there are others that start great. Check Ronnie Borchert’s solo debut, Change, in the second category. A modern album with deference to Melodic 80s Rock such as Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe, Borchert makes music fun again.

No stranger to the music business, Borchert is an accomplished songwriter, producer, guitarist, and frontman for the bands Trixie and Amsterdam. Still, even the seasoned musician can make missteps on a solo debut, but this disc has few – if any – low points.

Change begins on a rowdy note with “Take Me Away.” Production elements throughout this song and album sound like Def Leppard during their Hysteria period.

Move through the album just a few tracks, and you find the Bon Jovi-esque “Feeling Love For You.” Here, Borchert’s voice really shines, and this track may very well be the pinnacle of Change . Where Bon Jovi left off in 1988 with New Jersey, Borchert picks up in 2007 with Change.

Like any good Melodic Rock album, Change features a power ballad of sorts. “My Malena” is more Rock than Pop, and this goes a long way to keep the pace of the album. The lyrics to “My Malena” are simple and straightforward and completely infectious. Through “My Malena,” Borchert creates a song that equally appeals to both genders.

The title track “Change” is the album’s most mellow song, featuring unique key changes and introspective lyrics. Almost auto-biographical in parts, Borchert sings of a bigger life outside his window. No doubt a reflection on his inaugural solo venture, Borchert openly affirms the growing pains that come from new experiences. Surely, recording and producing a debut disc is one of the most taxing adventures for any musician.

The album closes with “Do You Love Me,” a unique hybrid of sounds akin to both Mötley Crüe’s “Looks That Kill” and Journey’s “Separate Ways.” Featuring the syncopation of the classic Journey track and the guitar work of one of Motley’s most famous songs, Borchert bends Classic music into a new gem, creating his own unique sound out of respect for the past.

While Change is a solo effort, several accomplished musicians lend their talents to the recording, including bassist Kim Racer and drummer DT Harvey. Borchert’s sister Nicole Willard lends her vocal abilities to the power track “She’s All I Need.”

Coming in at just under 43 minutes, Change is a fast-paced ride of Modern Glam Rock. Ronnie Borchert pulls out all the stops with his debut effort, solidifying his place among the best untapped music talent in today’s Modern Rock landscape.