TAKING DAWN - Time To Burn [Special Edition] (2010-11)

includes 3 bonus tracks


After checking out TAKING DAWN’s bio, you can tell Chris Babbitt (vocals/guitar), Mikey Cross (guitar), Andrew Cushing (bass) and Alan Doucette (drums) were born to rock; all of the band members hail from the sin-laden city of Las Vegas.
Both Babbitt and Cross worked as security at the Hard Rock Hotel; Babbitt’s hippie father played Black Sabbath while he vacuumed his son’s crib.
Taking Dawn just may be rock's premiere 'old meets new' band, as they could easily be a smash hit on current mainstream radio while at the same time impressing old-school hard rock fans.

Their debut "Time To Burn" has moments where the band rocks out as if they were seasoned Sunset Strip warriors, clearly influenced by the '80s L.A. scene with radio friendly tunes, good guitar shredding and catchy choruses, but also angst-laden numbers that make you feel you’re listening to two different bands on the same album.
Clearly, Taking Dawn draws from diverse influences and, like any band with only one album under its belt, those influences are still finding their proper place within the band’s songwriting capabilities.
Making up for the band’s uneven song delivery, instrumental prowess and melody come along as the album’s strongest points.
The Babbitt/Cross guitar combo never loses its flare and flash, not to mention the earth-rattling Cushing/Doucette rhythm combo.
Hooks, powerful riffs and catchy choruses are all over the album, which helps even the weakest songs on the CD have their shining moments.

The title track starts the album off with a bang. "Time To Burn" instantly sets the tone for the album. A hard-hitting scorcher with big, strong riffs.
"Take Me Away" it is just one of those hook-stuffed rock songs that'll take weeks before you can get it out of your head. It's the type of song you want to blast through your speakers and sing along to.
On "So Loud" the drums sound like the pistons of a hot rod revving up. Really loud.
"Save Me" is a commercial rocker with a catchy chorus featuring an interesting use of backing vocals through it.
"Close Your Eyes" slows down the pace a bit, the clean sound of the guitars and the passion of the vocals makes this one a powerful track to listen to. Reminds me Rubber / Harem Scarem of the 90's.

"Fight ‘Em With Your Rock" is one of most fast-paced rocker of the album, but it's a very accessible, very '80s track. Like the title says, this song is all about sticking it to the man with the power of rock ‘n’ roll. Prepare yourself for intense shredding, because the guitars here are hot.
"Endlessly" is all about crying your heart out because your girl left you and you are pathetically feeling sorry for yourself, but with its irresistible hook there’s nothing you can do but submit to it. Very melodic and anthemic.
"The Chain" is a Fleetwood Mac cover, very strange choice, but as said the band have diverse influences. Somehow this version works and features nice soloing.

"V" is the first of the 3 bonuses of this special version. It's the most heavy track on offer here, a clear tribute to the classic heavy metal bands of the early 80's.
On the other side, "Can't Leave You Alone" is extremely commercial, almost poppy at times. A gentle and catchy tune.
"Black Diamond" is a retro tribute to '70s hard rock. Yes, it's a Kiss cover... fans surely will hate this version. But the overall 'old' atmosphere it's pretty well done by the band and their producer.


Taking Dawn has a long way to go before its sound turns into something refined and focused. The band’s diverse influences could be deterring them from focusing on their strengths, but that is just something normal all bands go through; not getting lost in one’s own influences is the key to longevity though.
"Time To Burn" has the type of sound that could make them famous, even in an era that is mostly unreceptive to new rock music.
It mixes fist pumping sing along choruses and melodic harmonies with razor sharp riffs, screaming guitar solos and enough anti-religious / irreverent language to give Tipper Gore a heart attack.
It's hard to tell exactly what direction they'll end up going in the future, meanwhile, give it a shot.


01 - Time To Burn [Explicit]
02 - Like A Revolution
03 - Take Me Away
04 - So Loud [Explicit]
05 - Save Me
06 - Close Your Eyes
07 - Godless
08 - Fight 'Em With Your Rock [Explicit]
09 - Never Enough
10 - Endlessly
11 - The Chain [Fleetwood Mac cover]
12 - V (bonus track)
13 - Can't Leave You Alone (bonus track)
14 - Black Diamond [Kiss cover] (bonus track)



Chris Babbitt - vocals and guitar
Mikey Cross - guitar and backing vocals
Andrew Cushing - bass and backing vocals
Alan Doucette - drums and backing vocals
Additional Musicians:
Dave Holdredge - keyboards
Michael Baskette - ambient guitars, keyboards and backing vocals






www.takingdawn.com
IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT!