This is not to say that OLR lack an original sound; far from it. Casual listeners will no doubt be tempted to draw comparisons between lead singer Cris Brown’s voice and that of Eddie Vedder or Scott Stapp (especially on tracks like “If you want me”), but the fact is that Brown’s voice has an edge to it that somehow makes him outgrunge even kings and pretenders. The band behind him demonstrates their chops on songs like “A day to be alone”, following his cutting performance with the backings of a sweet piano and violin ensemble before the bass takes it up a notch and rocks the détente.
Fans of rock will definitely find their heads nodding to the beats when they are listening to the power ballads, and fists in the air during the driving rock numbers of this Tennessee band. If you miss the old days of rock on the radio, load One Last Reason into your iPod and welcome music back!