Power Rob - Dark Star

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Power Rob’s Dark Star explodes with intensity, superb vocal performances, powerful songwriting and energetic motion. This album radiates deep feelings and oozes conviction as the artist makes full use of his excellent voice. When one adds talented guest artists and a sense of real drama, the end result is fiery and engaging.

At the beating heart of Dark Star, we find Power Rob’s vocal performance. He has a voice that is sinewy and broad-ranging, rising from a low growl to a howling cry, conveying everything from tenderness to ferocity. His unique delivery gives the songs life and strength, allowing him to interpret and deliver the lyrics with power.

As a complement to his vocal abilities, Power Rob also demonstrates his skill in crafting lyrics. His distinctive phrasing and descriptive powers convey the emotional core of his songs. He paints vivid imagery through his songwriting and lays out a fresh approach to the world. I enjoy the way he explores his themes in fascinating ways.

I also appreciate Dark Star’s musical background, which enhances the sensations delivered by the vocals and lyrics. A mixture of guitar, synth and sax weaves a lush, interwoven melodic and harmonic tapestry that supports the other elements of the album. On top of this, all of the guest artists contribute their own fresh sound and vision to the whole work.

My Favourite Songs Analyzed

“In The Desert” begins with searing winds blowing and a distantly slipping synth with rounded tones. The drums surge with concentrated power and the gleaming synth spills out a thrilling melody while Power Rob's voice reaches out with unique strength. A jagged synth cuts with shadowy sinew and glittering notes flicker while Power Rob expresses the lyrics with energy and excitement.

The drums erupt as the chorus flies, the synth glowing with sunset luminosity. Night Rider 87’s synth layering is emotive and lush here. Power Rob lets rip with his gripping vocals, pulling me into the story. As a towering synth snarls, the huge drums and bass propel the track. Shining synth cascades as the vocals add emotion and purpose and growling notes slice underneath.

The chorus rises, complemented by lustrous notes that sparkle with muscled beauty. A triumphant synth melody climbs, leaping out with irrepressible dynamism, as the pumping drums and bass drive on. The percussion drops out as a flaring, twirling synth echoes above the dense bass and Power Rob imbues his voice with immense force. Now the song drives toward the end, a scintillating synth irradiating the music as the chorus carries on.

The storyteller can't wait for midnight to face the sands and become legendary. He adds, "Some say it's an obsession. I feel it, I need it." He points out that as they "erase the sunlight," they're locked and loaded while looking for an "ethereal connection."

Our narrator adds that at sunset, they're perfect strangers who are "just living for the danger," as they surrender to faraway thunder. He continues, "When the wind calls upon the neon, at long last I've got the fever," mentioning again that they've surrendered to the distant thunder.

In the desert, the storyteller says that "we can't help it when we fall in love, we can't fight it when we're far apart," as he points out that "with the looks that kill, you better believe it." He goes on to say that "in the desert, it's a mood that takes you to the stars," adding that you never want to be too far "when you've got that thrill."

The narrator continues, saying that he's unable to escape the madness because "you're so far, but yet you seem to be familiar—like I've known you forever." He adds that the starlight they've shared for long nights is "all we've got to get connection until we are together."

Bass glides smoothly as swelling notes glow with delicate light to open “Dangerous”. Blazingly bright synth illuminates the track as Power Rob's immensely expressive voice carries the leaping melody while the drums explode. Power Rob's voice is full of muscle and sinew as the drums continue to press forward.

The chorus breaks outs with flying dynamism as the floating notes in the distance shine and the low end continues to pound. The way in which Power Rob drives the song is fiercely propulsive, drawing me into the song’s excitement. The floating notes in the distance carry a gentler melody as the bass continues to undulate.

There’s a break and a segment exuding peaceful sensations slides in as the vocals drift over the spaced-out background, before the drums return. The chorus flies out with concentrated energy as the pumping low end bangs on, before Power Rob unleashes his voice and the song ends.

On the edge of uncertainty, the narrator questions if he’s alive or out of line. He says, “hold fast” as he faces the fact that some stories never get told. Now strange faces gather, like aliens in a vengeful mob, as the narrator adds, “we are complex people in complex times.”

The storyteller admits he’s only temporary but realises it’s necessary to confront that feeling head-on. There’s danger lurking, but it's part of a game he always plays. When the moment freezes and the heart sinks, it’s “dangerous” but he has confidence that “there’s a way for us.”

Now the narrator swears never to surrender or lie. He talks about holding fast through sleepless nights and being despised. An army waits, staring, as the narrator faces a vicious spectre that won’t leave. He asks if one would face “the menace that gives you pause” or run away. He adds, “stand in the line or stand alone, do or die, you won't atone.” As the song ends, he concludes, “we always seem to make it rain for us.”

“Innocent” starts with a powerful bass rumble and chimes ringing out with piercing light. The drums explode, creating a steadily throbbing pulse as Power Rob’s voice captures mingled desire and excitement, tinged by pain. Power Rob has a feeling for the lyrics that ideally expresses the emotional tenor of the music. The drums and bass continue to rapidly pulse as the metallic chimes flash.

The guitar sings to match the vocals as the muscled drums move and the bass shifts. The drums rapidly rebound as Power Rob lets the lyrics fly with heartfelt expression and a synth twinkles in the distance. The chorus dances with dynamic life as the guitar wheels in active flight. The drums and bass shape the music as the vocals climb with intense feeling, while the guitar adds brightly interlocking notes that carry a galvanizing solo.

Power Rob’s voice aches and gently slips as the silky synth slides before the heavy drums and lush bass pulse again. The chimes radiate light and the guitar mingles with the leaping chorus, carrying the impact of the words. The track comes to an end with impassioned backing vocals and the chorus fading away.

Our storyteller talks about the song's subject, who says that she's alright and it's another night. She says that she's just fine when he's in her sights. He adds that "In the heat of the night, I'm a victim of vice" as he wanders in his desire. He points out that they just can't lie to each other.

The narrator goes on to say that the song's subject claims to have nothing to lose. She says that she "comes alive when we both see the lights." He becomes lost on some nights and "in the heat of the moment, I just can't say" because she keeps the fire in her eyes inside of herself. He adds that with her kiss' sting, he can't decide.

Now our storyteller says that "when the lights go out and the sun comes down" her eyes shout "I'm not innocent." The song's subject points out that she hasn't felt seduction like this before and adds that she has "a thrill that he just can't miss." The storyteller says that as they speak their lies "with the words they spell” their thoughts dwell and lonely hearts fall.

They are both at home with heartbreak, but the narrator adds that "tonight we're alive in eternity," adding that they're just fools "sailing to lose on a river of secrets." The narrator asks the song's subject to take his hand because "our love will last that night and forever."

Delicate notes swirl in tranquil motion as Bending Grid’s guitar flares with luminous life to open “Mr. Right”. Power Rob’s sensual and fascinating vocals carry the desire-laden lyrics and the energetically dancing melody.

The drums and bass punch with crushing weight as the sexy, smooth vocals glide with Power Rob’s unique delivery. Chimes flash with fragile luminosity while the guitar, drums and bass interlock. I am seduced by the potency of the vocals while the low end drives on without stopping. The funky chorus erupts and the guitar adds cool licks and the drums and bass lock into a groove.

As the vocals climb, they're imbued with lust and need. Bending Grid’s guitar flickers out with a charged excitement and Power Rob’s voice explodes with mingled yearning and surprise. As the heavy percussion pulsates, the vocals soar and leap before Bending Grid unleashes his guitar solo, which grabs me with its intensity and depth before the song comes to an end.

Our storyteller is looking for some education to “ease my passion” and a stimulating experience. He says “from the bar, along came trouble” in the form of the song’s subject. He tells her, “Baby, you’re sweet seduction with a hint of vengeance.”

The narrator can’t dance when they get onto the floor, but it’s too late for him. He says, “Such a nervous feeling, I must be dreaming.” He tries to act cool when she tells him what to do, but he asks, “Who knew that I’d fall in love?”

Now our storyteller asks the song’s subject if she realizes he’s not her Mr. Right “when you call me baby.” He asks her, “Don’t you know that I ain’t your big surprise?” However, she still drives him crazy.

Despite it being 3:00 in the morning, the song’s subject says it isn’t too late. The narrator has the sneaking suspicion that she’s not going to leave him. He concludes, “She pressures me so perfectly,” and he’s developed a bad habit “like some voodoo magic.

“Top Gun” leaps into being with Power Rob's voice charging electrically as the drums rap hard. The explosive vocals are full of intense fire as the kick drum batters. The track grooves with angular, gyrating motions as Power Rob's voice matches that swerving energy.

The drums continue to explode while the warmly swelling vocal performance adds irresistible drama. The drums and bass batter and the flashing synth burns through the music with feral light. Power Rob's performance is infectious and pulls me into the music’s spirit.

The drums hit hard as the vocals fly through the music with vigour and flair. Power Rob's range and strength are apparent as a madly spinning synth flickers through a wildly leaping solo. Power Rob chants as the low end smashes hard and the brassy synth ignites the music. The huge drums flutter and the vocals move above the massively shifting low end before silence falls.

Our storyteller has been held in the song subject’s “clever eyes made out of stone” while she spins him “tall tales and promises of love.” It’s midnight and our storyteller says, “I covered your love to a fault.” He points out that the other person is fine and he's out of time. He isn't sure where he's going, but they’ve parted.

There’s something the narrator needs that the song's subject has and he's been fooled by her, but “I’m so starstruck when you make me.” When she sees him there, she can't get enough of him. He loves it when she teases him but adds, “Don’t you know you’re always on the run.” He says he's the top gun and she can't get enough of him, adding, “Baby I love it, can’t you see.”

When they hit the dance floor, the narrator says, “We’re always out for blood and we can’t stop the rhythm.” When he hits the floor, he has to go because “it seems so strong” but the other person has “the modes of ice perfected, she’s so calm and collected.”

Rain pours down and thunder cracks to commence “Restless Summer”. Tranquil, undulating synth slips as the sax calls out with hurting emotion. The woodwind voice is laid-back but creates a painful reflection. The lead singer’s voice is full of longing and need while the sax drifts with emotive depth.

The neediness within the vocals is aching and compels me with its sincerity as the drums pulse. The bass oscillates as metallic, chiming notes spin out while the lead singer captures all of the sensation of loss and brokenheartedness within the lyrics. The sax rings out again, expressing love and pain, while the delicate notes below continue to oscillate.

Hard-hitting percussion drives the song forward as the vocals wrap around my ears with gentleness and the sax weeps with intense feeling. The synth continues to slide as the rhythmic heartbeat flutters, the bass undulating while the sax drifts like a ghost. Bright chimes flash again as the lead singer encapsulates all of the melancholy within the words.

The beat surges with determination while Power Rob pours his heart out. Pulsing rhythm underpins chimes that glide with moonlit luminosity, as a gruff, trembling synth adds a yearning quality. In the final moments, the synth solo wheels and dances in the spotlight while the lead singer powers to the finish.

As midnight descends, the song’s subject whispers in the narrator's ear. He says that he's never felt like "my heart is hers to steal." As the walls between them crumble, he admits, "I got it bad," and he knows that she needs him. However, he adds, "When she says don't leave me, understand before we fall apart."

It's a restless summer for our storyteller as he adds that he's "in love with the loss" of the song’s subject. He's giving in and he asks, "Don't you wonder how it all falls apart so soon?" As the walls fall down, he says that he has to make time to "fall too fast" as he realizes that their love isn't meant to last.

“World Gone Mad” comes to life with raging determination and battering power. The vocalist calls out with feral, dramatic energy as the low end smashes hard. The vocals exude forceful danger as the heavy low end is joined by Battlejuice’s assaulting guitar while a luminous synth flashes. The drums are unrelenting as the lead singer calls out, filling me with defiant strength while the trumpeting synth howls above the churning low end.

The vocals snarl as the guitar slashes wildly and the drums continue to pound. Battlejuice imbues the music with rage and muscle as the two performers’ voices intertwine. The drums erupt as the guitar cries out with razor-sharp precision and darkness while the bass shatters and the drums attack. I enjoy the ferocity and uncompromising nature of the song. Colossal bass surges again as the chorus and the guitar join together, shining with a brilliant glare as the track drives to an end.

The narrator says that at daybreak, he can't seem to shake what he’s feeling and “the TV forbids me” as the streets are filled with a “lawless persuasion.” He realizes it’s a military emergency as “the words they crawl across the screen” and the emergency screams at him.

Our storyteller admits he can’t relate because we’re in a “world gone mad” and it’s too late to save it. He wonders, “How will we survive when the sky comes alive?” He feels that he’s tempting fate in this world gone mad as night descends and “terror steps to stand tall” while the old guard is taken on and humanity finds itself “facing down the dragon.”

Cosmically deep bass rumbles as kick drum pulses and metallic notes flare to open “Dark Star”. The ominous pounding continues as gossamer synth floats with a soft melodic pattern. Sharply entangling synth tumbles through the music in a luminous flash as the huge drums rebound. Sebastian Ochoa Arguijo’s guitar slashes with razor-sharp edges as the leaping synth erupts and the drums punch forward.

Power Rob’s voice flows with fresh expression as the intertwining bass twangs and the chorus flies with unstoppable liveliness. Power Rob grabs hold of me and tugs me along with him, the guitar thundering as the drums slam hard. The heaving background charges as the guitar slices and the vocals soar with intensity.

The low end lacerates as the slap bass and entangling, diamond-bright notes tumble together while Power Rob lets rip once again. The explosive vocal melody is joined by the crashing drums and stormy guitar, only deepening the hurricane-like strength of this song. The drums keep battering as the passionate vocals fly through the music and the guitar charges ferociously. Dynamism erupts from the music as Power Rob cries out with unbound strength.

The slap bass twists as the percussion echoes and chimes shine with lambent luminosity. The guitar rips again with feral muscle and swirls through a rapidly unfolding solo, arcing with complexity. The drums drive forward as the guitar shreds and spins before Power Rob’s voice hovers with fresh expression. Once again, the chorus floods through the music like a torrent before the song punches to a close.

Our storyteller says that it all started 10 years ago in the dead of night and began with an "evil lie." Now he's stealing shows like a "thief in disguise" and adds, "I'll make them hot when I meet the mic." He says that he'll jam without any superstition and jam because "tonight I let it go." He reminds the audience, "Just remember, I can't surrender."

The narrator goes on to say that he'll jam because he has the motivation and he'll "never ever lose control." He adds that he's made it a long way because "I never say never" and he's coming like a thief in the night. He goes on to say, "Dark Star, hold me close no matter where you are." He adds that he'll live it to the minute.

As the song concludes, our storyteller talks about his feelings being on fire on the floor and he'll "take a chance when thunder strikes" because he's all alone and "I can't see the start."

Conclusion

Dark Star carries the listener on an energy-filled ride punctuated by emotion and expression. The album’s mixture of excellent vocals, well-crafted songs and strong musical backing creates a first-rate listening experience.