We are visiting Italy today to check out the band BEAUTIFUL LOSER from Genoa. It is a little hard to find information about this band on the interwebs as I do not speak Italian, and for the fact that there is another band with the same name that it seems to be a BOB SEGER tribute band. After finding the correct band, I can say that they are releasing their first album called Stars 4 A Nite independently. The sound is based on the softer hard rock from the 80’s and 90’s. Bands like BON JOVI and VAN HALEN. The album starts with “Scarred For Life” and it is exactly what it says on the tin. Hard Rock with that romantic edge and delivered in a more palatable way. The songs are based on soft melodies and an easy chorus to sing along with, that can also be heard in the title song “Stars For The Night”.

The band has a good guitar player in Andrea Laurino that presents us with some good solos in every song including in the romantic “Time To Say Goodbye”. This one has all the trademarks and the suffering of a rock ballad. Campy as fuck in my opinion but hey, there is a market out there. We follow with “Wings Of Butterfly” and we have a little more energy on this one. This is a different one. It has a more NICK CAVE vibe and for me is the best of the album so far. It has a nice bass line from bass player Fabio Tassara and the bass sound is well present in the mix for a change. The album is covered by keyboard arrangements from a non credited player and this is a shame. We reach “Borderline” that starts with the traditional introductory solo leading to the vocal melody. It even has a cow bell added on the groove by competent drummer Paolo Pesce. This is another track that is soft as jelly but well put together and the chorus is once again, efficient.

“Kiss Me Or Kill Me” has the same vibe with a nicer guitar solo. Despite bands like BON JOVI or EUROPE not being my cup of tea, I have to take my hat off for the faithfulness to the style that BEAUTIFUL LOSER shows on this album. The songs are solid and well arranged showing that the band is composed by well seasoned musicians. “Down To The City” starts with some nah,nah,nah in the melody line and for a moment the bass line reminded me of BILLY IDOL for some reason. All songs despite being well done and performed, are quite basic Heavy Metal lure that will be easily recognized by your ears. It also reminds you of the Los Angeles Metal bands from the 80,s and 90,s like MOTLEY CRUE and POISON without all the poser apparatus, and even softer bands like BRIAN ADAMS and MICHAEL BOLTON. We reach “Lady Child” that it is another suffering ballad. This one is  also campy as fuck but hey, theres a market out there. Not to my taste though. If you enjoy ballads like this, your girlfriend should leave you. We get a little more energy on “Razor Sharp (Baby, I'm Back To You)” and this could be used as a theme of one of those TV series about love and relationships. A little more upbeat and with a good chorus by singer Paolo Cintolesi that has a good voice and sings on tune. However, in my opinion, it does not sound like a Hard Rock, or Metal singer.

There are no highlights in his singing with tune changes, screams, and hight notes throughout the album. His best performance perhaps is in the last song “Handful Of Lies” where he stretches his throat a little bit more. Good singer, but for this kind of music, you need to be better and more memorable. This tune also has a nice bass and drums introduction and a good guitar solo. Nice first release from the “BEAUTIFUL LOSER” gang with a decent production and good tunes. Despite not being my favorite kind of music, I can safely say that the guys know what they are doing.