Album Details

• Artist: One World Revolution
• Album: Transitions
• Label: N/A
• Year of Release: 2010
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2010-06-18

What sounds as much of an affirming life-statement as it does a musical endeavor, One World Revolution is the brainchild of experienced singer/songwriter Astrum Lux Lucis. Transitions is their debut effort, and its the sort of record where the title speaks volumes about the content within. It's a very straight-forward disc lyrically, strong messages of change, revelation and confirmation of positive lifestyle changes and intense personal discoveries. Musically, it is quite diverse, with grounding in an alt/country style but heavily influenced by rock, hard and soft, of the past 4 decades.

Opener "Get Your Green On" is an unabashed pop-rocker with a very obvious message garnered just from the title; it references Astrum's experience with a natural food diet. While the song is no doubt catchy and fun, the abrupt message right off the bat did initially turn me away for a moment. It's nothing personal, just a very bold opening statement for an album. But as you go on, you discover that, however bold or reserved Astrum allows her lyrics to be, her voice carries her messages with potent bravado and a wisdom that translates well, that only comes from the experience of many ups and downs. Her vocal melodies, and the Skynyrd-like atmosphere of "New World" quickly made it one of my favorite tracks early on. A nice shift into darker sounds on "The Road Less Traveled" makes for another highlight. The problem I have with the album overall is that despite strong numbers like "Let Love In", "Dare To Be Different" and "Change", they are divided up by weaker, modern country-radio-friendly tracks that have little effect on me. It is a record which variance in sound may do more to hinder than help it.

Overall, Transitions is by no means a bad record. A bit overproduced, a bit of an overbearing mission statement on Astrum's life and times, but there are many songs that hit a wonderful balance and express talent from her and the rest of the band. I would personally like to hear more of the hard rock edge that applies itself to, and even strengthens her very up-front lyrical style, and less of the pop-country that seems to lighten up too much of the record. Still, most tracks are catchy, with solid hooks and vocal melodies to sing along to, and the overall message, however blunt, is overwhemingly positive, something music rarely offers these days. 

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