Search - Pete Lesperance :: Down in It

Catchy, melodic pop rock with a technical twist.

Kyle Turner | 11/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a PL fan for quite some time now, and to say I was excited about his solo album would be an understatement. I had incredibly high expectations, and, not surprisingly, I wasn't let down.



The album, for the most part, is radio friendly, hook-laden pop rock (think Paul Gilbert's solo stuff with a more concentrated effort on songwriting) with lots of tasteful playing. Unlike most pop music, however, Down In It is an incredibly textured work. A headphone listening session will reveal an album with more layers than a pretentious art rock fanboy could shake a stick at.



I was initially a little disappointed with the solos on the album- several lacked the flair and panache of Pete's Harem Scarem stuff. After a while, however, I realized that his playing fit perfectly with the songs- Pete doesn't overplay at all on this album. If you are in the mood for jaw dropping (though still fitting and song-appropriate) solos, "Down In It," "Where You Want Me," and the instrumental "Trouble With Pets" are the songs to listen to.



While the guitar playing is excellent, the album really focuses on Pete's vocals, which, I'm happy to say, are phenomenal. Lesperance has an amazing ear for harmony, and his melodies are excellent.



All in all, Down In It is a very solid album, and quite a departure from the rampant cheese of Harem Scarem. Definitely a must-buy for fans of melodic rock."