NIA JOHN/WOLF STORM - HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO
Rock
Caerphilly, United Kingdom
Overall Impression: With its powerhouse of a lead vocal performance, coupled with a sense of sheer unbridled energy, Nia John delivers a fantastic cover of the Bonnie Tyler 80's anthem, "Holding Out For a Hero" with great conviction and an undoubtedly deep passion for the source material. This is by no means an easy song to cover, yet Nia John/Wolf Storm have managed to capture the very same intensity and spirit of the original with the utmost attention to detail, matching the original's solid arrangement, diversity in sounds, and performances with equal aplomb.
Strongest Point(s): I think many would agree that this is a particularly hard song to successfully cover, Bonnie Tyler's performance on this track is nothing short of legendary, and not many can come close in terms of sheer power and control in their delivery, however, I think it's safe to say that Nia John has done just that, showcasing an exquisite amount of dynamic and tonal control whilst equally matching Bonnie's outstanding vocal range with both great confidence and heart. The track itself has been recreated with minute detail, the driving synth/piano combination, bombastic electro drums, distorted guitars, and bold funky brass are all here, and sound just as good as the original, boasting excellent production values and capturing that quintessential 80's sound perfectly. The arrangement, like the original, offers plenty of variation throughout, mixing up harmonic, melodic, as well as textural ideas to ensure the listener is always kept engaged from start to finish, and with the relenting driving energy of the track, your attention is never lost, great work!
Target Audience Appeal: This will certainly appeal to fans of 80's rock and pop, especially those who love female-fronted rock groups.
Artist target suggestions: Heart, Bonnie Tyler, Blondie, Pat Benetar, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Stevie Nicks, Lee Aaron, Lita Ford, Kim Wilde, Laura Branigan, Kim Carnes, Joan Jett, The Pointer Sisters, The Go-Go's
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About the Reviewer:
Andre is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to become a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar, as well as teaching it, helping students both learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and how to become proficient in home recording.