Frank Hannon - Six String Soldiers

The former Tesla guitarist returns with another solo album and my friends this one is winner beginning to end. Frank has done what anyone who's a fan of Tesla and him solo would have expected and that is create a monster of an album.

The title track is just a ripping hard rock song that boogies all the way to the moon and back. It's so nice to hear real musicians playing music that hasn't been airbrushed to death with digital effects and processors stripping it of its natural beauty. The Dave Meniketti duet "Lipstick, Smoke & Gasoline" is a crushing groover that makes me wish these two would make an entire album together because it would be freaking awesome.

One of the albums best songs is the ballad "Touch The Ground" that features the legendary Dickey Betts. The only thing that is missing on this track is the soulful voice of Jeff Keith who would have made this superior song even better. Another one of those incredible songs that just standout so far is "Love, Life & Beauty" which reminds me of what makes rock n' roll the greatest music in the world. This song is a total stroke of genius and one of the best songs of 2012 and I say that without malice.

The groovy rocker "To The Light" featuring Rick Derringer is a fun little number that makes this lazy Saturday afternoon and my rum and coke zero just a little bit better. Overall this album is a complete success and it does so with soul. I wish for this to be the sort of sound that the next Tesla album takes on because this album is so wonderful I'd love to hear another chapter from Frank but with Jeff Keith telling the stories. Six String Soldiers is a five star album that everyone who likes rock music needs to own.