SAVE THE WORLD is a modern Arena Rock band from Nashville, TN. "One" is the group's debut record, originally released independently in 2017 but subsequently re-issued by Frontiers Music on May 7, 2021.

The band's lineup is star-studded. Chief songwriter Dan Tracey is a composer and performer best known for playing guitar and singing with the ALAN PARSONS LIVE PROJECT; Robert Wright is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist and Billboard-Country-Album chart-topper; and Jon Wysocki (who only recorded this album with SAVE THE WORLD) is a founding member and original drummer for Post-Grunge icons STAIND. However, impressive CVs don't necessarily mean anything if the group can't make good music together.

Fortunately, this group CAN make great music together. SAVE THE WORLD's "One" might be the first release from Frontiers Music that I actually enjoyed listening to. Does this album feature some of the typical trappings of Arena Rock, like reverb-soaked pianos, harmonious guitar solos and beautiful melodic choruses? Absolutely. Does it sound clichéd? At times, but more often than not, this album stands on its own as an original statement.

The album opens with the track "Bleed," a four minute headbanger with an opener that gives off KORN/NINE INCH NAILS-vibes before breaking into a stunning earworm of a chorus. Tracey's guitar playing is really excellent on this one and on the following track, "Comic Con" - tasteful and virtuosic, with just the right amount of shredding involved. "Circus Maximus" is another highlight, with its groovy, triplet-driven riff, jazzed out keyboards and a subtle cameo from the legendary Alan Parsons.

"This Little Pill" is a well-produced, hard-hitting power ballad with a stunning chord progression and beautiful vocal harmonies from Tracey. "The Light," similarly, is another ballad, though much softer and more emotional than "This Little Pill," reminiscent of the closing tracks on early AEROSMITH records like "Toys in the Attic" and "Rocks." But perhaps my favorite track on this album is "Black Pearl." That main riff is so God-damn heavy, with its AC/DC level of ferocious simplicity, the chorus is bone-chillingly gorgeous, and the math-y drum section before the last chorus is an excellent touch.

Finally, a 2021 Rock album from a new band that I actually enjoy! The production is tight, the music is well-written, and the playing is sublime. I will definitely be listening to more of SAVE THE WORLD, and you'd better do the same!