Uber Rock Reviews '3D' by DDRIVE

3D rules the world right now....well, on the big screen anyhow. So OK, '3D' is also the third release from New York rockers D Drive but wait a goddamn minute, take a closer peak at the packaging - yeah you guessed, it's in 3D and even comes complete with 3D glasses to boot, nice little touch guys.

D Drive have been kicking about since 2004, the brainchild of guitarist Don Mancuso (Lou Gramm Band, Black Sheep). The opus kicks in with 'Next Train', a decent, well-written tune and opener - credit must also go to Don's rock 'n' roll partner, acclaimed New York vocalist Phil Naro (Talas, Peter Criss). 'Dig Down', the first single lifted off the album, has a nice commercial catchy feel and pop pickers if those bass licks sound familiar it's because they come courtesy of Phil Naro's former bandmate in Talas, Mr Big's legendary four stringer Billy Sheehan. 'Kiss The Ground' continues with the, maybe what you could call a "dated" sound, but it'sstill foot-tapping stuff. 'Chains On You' is again well produced, written, the sort of track that queued mercilessly for airplay on MTV in the late 80s, and of course there's the obligatory ballad, the slush here being 'Never Had A Chance'.

'Last To Fall Down', 'Down Deep' and 'Always Done What I Want' all seem to follow the architypical AOR road as far as album tracks go, but there's no taking away the musicianship and songwriting talent from this project and '1 To 7 Rock-n-Roll Heaven' sounds like a long forgotten anthem that was always been a part of some American compilation release. 'Tumblin' meanwhile gives us a little funk and bringing things to a close 'Welcome To My World' is awash with melody and a fine delivery.

People say nothing is original anymore and we all have to make do with what's left, which I'm not 100% sure I agree with, because if your musical tastes veer towards the more melodic end of the spectrum, then '3D' is certainly well worth a listen.