A lot of years ago there was this band that captured a lot of hearts of the Hard Rock and Melodic Metal fans called RIVERDOGS. They released a few albums that gave them a superstar status. Well, it did in my native country the Netherlands. That was mainly due to the fact that the mastermind of this ensemble, Rob Lamothe, knew exactly what he was doing. And I suspect in a lot of others as well. I for one thought they were okay, but that was it. But that was the past, and now the band leader of RIVERDOGS, Rob Lamothe, is back with his latest venture into Heavy Rock. He has named the band CROSS COUNTRY DRIVER.

The fact that expectations were and are high lies in the fact that renowned record label FRONTIERS MUSIC SRL snapped them up and gave them a platform to record a full album. "The New Truth" is the result of it all, and to be frank, it doesn't disappoint. The musical direction that the band decided to take is a mix of Melodic Rock. Southern Rock and even some Country. It presents us with a very pleasant album with emotions that range from rather loud to very laid back. But CROSS COUNTRY DRIVER always makes sure it sounds exactly right.

I don't often do references, but the voice has a lot of JOHN SYKES in it, and even some ZAKK WYLDE during his PRIDE AND GLORY times. The songs themselves are very transparent and usually have that rocking vibe that will get you humming along, tapping your feet, nodding your head and even moving to the beat. And that is where the real power lies in "The New Truth". It has emotion and tags you along to drown yourself in the feelings that are portrayed here.

Of course you will also get some softer songs and ballads on "The New Truth". The thing that CROSS COUNTRY DRIVER didn't get right is putting four of those in a row at the end of the album. the only thing that this achieves is that all the happy moves and tapping motions will be eliminated. it's just like all the life has been drained out of the band, and it makes you forget the fact that the first 9 songs really had you going. And I can't shake the feeling that this can not have been the intention of CROSS COUNTRY DRIVER. Or of FRONTIERS MUSIC SRL, for that matter.