Someone might say that music is like food. You have a favorite food but if you eat the same thing for days you will hate it! Everyone needs a change. So after being bombarded with doom and gothic Metal bands, I wanted a change. And this second album of MOONSTONE PROJECT came like a blessing!

This project is the child of Italian guitar player Matt Filippini. In 2006 their debut album Time To Take A Stand was released. Filippini wrote the whole album with a little help from songwriters that were close to him. Since I haven't listened to this album, I'll stay to what their small bio says: Their music ...is influenced by British classic bluesy Hard Rock of the 70's...you find bits of FREE, HENDRIX, DEEP PURPLE, LED ZEPPELIN...sounding as a 2000's record. In this album, he manages to have many well known musicians, such as Ian Paice (what do you mean who is he?), Steve Walsh, Glenn Hughes, Kelly Keeling (MSG, among other bands)... and the list can go on. A year ago the album was re-released under the title Hidden In Time, with three bonus tracks. Now, with a more steady lineup, MOONSTONE PROJECT is here with its second album, but the special guest appearances are also present.

Well, their second album is not far at all from the description the band itself gave about their debut. Rebel On The Run is full of that 70's feeling. The sound and the overall production are crystal clear and polished, since the band worked on that album for about two years. Here you will find some really good compositions like Sinner, Sinner, Cosmic Blues where the Hammond and the guitar melody make the difference, and Shooting Star. But there are some other parts in this album that are at most average and will make you feel a bit bored and that's because of the length of the tracks. A fine example is Hey Mama, a song that if it was one minute shorter it would be a rock comet, bur becomes a long and quite boring tune eventually.

Rebel On The Run is not a bad album. But when you have musicians like Ian Paice, Clive Bunker (of my beloved JETHRO TULL), Ken Hensley (URIAH HEEP) and Glenn Hughes (who sings in Closer Than You Think), you expect something better. Hence, the 70's Rock fans will like some moments from this album since there are songs that give a tribute to that time in a good way.