Craig Brooks (Touch & American Tears) continued to write songs and also record after the completion of the last Touch album “Tomorrow Never Comes.” Craig sensed that he had some new interesting music with a twist to his song writing to offer. At this point he asked long time friend Mark Mangold (Touch, Keys, Michael Bolton & Cher) if he would be interested in collaborating on a solo album. Also drafting in Josh Devine (One Direction, Levara and Turkish Delight) on drums and Doug Howard(Touch) on bass. ”Desolation Freeway” is the result of these collaborations.

“Testify” starts this album with AOR American style, some nice guitar touches from the start, a great catchy chorus with some great vocals and great backing vocals & harmonies. ”Fading Out The View” carries on with the AOR, heavier guitars in the verses until another chorus again catchy, with plenty of hooks that are easy on the ear, which draw you in. ”End Of The Line” is more rockier with some nice 70's style hard rock melodies, some nice guitar runs, vocally Craig delivers some cool vocals. The title track is chilled and mellow AOR very much sounds like a Toto influenced track especially with the little keyboard chords throughout the track, with the powerful chorus & great guitar solo. ”Modern Love” is another great AOR track which has the same formula as the previous tracks it's sophisticated ,smooth great ear worm melodies and vocals .

”Takes One To Know One” takes a break from the AOR ,a bit  heavier, rock n' roll track, which is done very well with some great guitar, a little bit bluesy in places with hints of classic rock. ”Chosen One” is the ballad of the album some nice acoustic guitar touches ,a melancholy track, the electric guitar touches & the vocals are powerful and effective giving the track some edge. ”Don't Say You Love Me” is a more upbeat track than the previous ballad, ”Across The Great Divide” is another rocker that builds with some tension but then has moments which break down.”Lady Lies” ends the album in style a rocking track full of great guitar riffs with a harmonious style chorus.

Craig Brooks has delivered a strong album with “Desolation Freeway”. The album has 10 tracks which are of great quality, the musical experience of these veteran musicians is very evident with them delivering AOR and hard rock of the highest order, with some slick production. A very good album which you will not want to miss.