Top Of The Class
It's been the best part of three years since Las Vegas rockers Adelita's Way turned some heads with their debut album. In that time things have been shaken up somewhat within the band camp. Whilst main song writer and singer Rick DeJesus still remains at the helm along with guitarist Keith Wallen, drummer Tre Stafford and bassist Derek Johnston, former lead guitarist Chris Iorio has parted ways with the band and it seems that Adelita's Way aren't in a rush to fill the void releasing their latest album, "Home School Valedictorian" as a quartet, a decision that certainly doesn't appear to have hindered them.
As a steady drum beat ushers in "Home School Valedictorian", 'The Collapse' wastes no time in breaking free of such constraints as riffs are suddenly bolstered and a rush of thumping bass lines pound in to collide with DeJesus' razor sharp vocals, a brilliant blend of raw gruffness with just enough emotion to draw you deeper into the track. Lead single, 'Sick' ups the hard rock ante next with an avalanche of chugging riffs that hide a pop mentality to guarantee that this is one chorus you won't be able to shake for weeks; infectiously fantastic before the anthem striving balladry of 'Alive' saunters in to complete the triple attack of the opening three tracks and prove that Adelita's Way aren't only back but are also bigger and better.
From the heavy bass, raging riffs and irresistible drum beats of 'Critcize' to the emotionally charged simplicity of 'I Can Tell' through to 'Hurt' that doesn't merely pull at your heartstrings but manages to simultaneously pack a mighty punch along the way, Adelita's Way manage to take you from thumping, aggressive rock to passion fuelled tenderness effortlessly whilst injecting just enough infectiousness to insure that you will constantly be hitting the play button again and again.
There may have been a bit of a wait between albums but as the saying goes, some things are worth it and "Home School Valedictorian" certainly falls into that category. Forget being merely a home school valedictorian, these Las Vegas rockers will go straight to the top of the class wherever they play.