Solo careers. They are becoming all too common these days with artists wanting to branch out of their work with their main bands and do something on their own. Some solo artists embark on solo careers from the very start of their music career and for some, it works out very well but is it the same for the artist I am featuring in this review? Only one way to find out and that is to review it.

The artist in question for this is American musician John Taglieri, who began a solo career in the late 90's and releasing his works on his own record label. Recording your own music while running your own record label as well, sounds like very hard work and some artists bite off more then they can chew. Releasing his first solo album "Leap of Faith" in 1999, John Taglieri has been experimenting with a range of different styles including Pop Music and Country Music, but has gone back to his Melodic Rock roots with his new EP "Days Like These".

Normally solo artists write, record, and perform all the music themselves but that's not the case with the new John Taglieri EP, as here, he is writing, recording and performing with some of his friends in the music scene and some of them are pretty big names, such as Eric Ragno (Alice Cooper, Paul Stanley) and Rich Redmond (Ludacris, Kelly Clarkson), to name a few.

Collaborating with other artists, even as a solo artist, is often a good idea as some solo artists realize and understand that trying to write, perform and record all the music yourself can be a bit of a nightmarish task. John Taglieri has understood that risk and has not wanted to take it, so by collaborating with others, he is clear about wanting to make a good release for the listeners.

Another risk as a one hundred percent solo artist, is also trying to juggle family life too, especially if you are married and have kids, but some manage it well and John Taglieri has been able to manage it quite well. So, where does this leave his new release "Days Like These"? Having not heard his previous works, I don't know how to compare the new to the old, but upon first listens to this new release, it's clear he is very passionate about music as it sounds very soulful and quite cheerful in places.

Only thing that may seem a bit off in places, is the vocals, but often the delivery can oversee that problem and thankfully it's the same here, as the vocal delivery is very good and it compliments the soulful and cheerful music on this short six song EP spanning out across roughly 21 minutes.

So is this a solo career that should stay as it is, or should John Taglieri sign himself on with a band? Well since the late 90's, he has been able to juggle his family life and his music career very well and this new EP "Days Like These" is very melodic, and I like melodic music, so this already gets the thumbs up from me.

There's definitely a lot of soul and passion being put into John's music and if you like soulful, cheerful, and melodic music, then this short six song EP will be ideal for you and it's clear that John Taglieri should carry on as he is as a one hundred percent solo artist.