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Robin Tucker The Way Out Review by Gary Hill This new album from Atlanta based artist Robin Tucker has some strong music. It fits somewhere in the zone around modern pop rock, nu-metal and more. I think it tends to get a little samey at times, but all the songs are strong, and there are some real highlights here. This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2021 Volume 6. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2021.

Track by Track Review

The Warning (Radio Edit) A heavy, droning sort of sound starts this cut. The first vocals come in over the top of that with a distorted sound. The eventually works out to a hard rocking mainstream pop rock tune. This is driving, has cool hooks and works well.

As I Burn (Radio Edit) A dramatic piano movement start this. The cut builds on that as it drives forward. Another modern pop rock arrangement takes over. This leans a little toward nu-metal as it gets more involved and intensified. There is a lot of emotion packed into this number.

Sex Toy A piano and vocal arrangement brings an evocative balladic approach to the first half of the cut. It intensifies and grows out into more rocking zones from there. I really like the guitar fills that come over the top.

My Final Days There is a lot of emotion at the heart of this track. Beyond that, it's not a big change from the rest of the music here.

Avery (Radio Edit) A driving rocker, this is more of the modern pop rock we've grown to expect here.

Medical Emergency While the formula is starting to wear a bit thin here, the guitar work near the end of this piece really elevates it. Beyond that, this is the same kind of pop rock that makes up the rest of the set.

Call Me The Devil Piano brings this into being. It has a dramatic and potent sound to it as that instrument holds it. Vocals come in over the top of that arrangement after a time. This cut also grows out into a more rocking one as it evolves. There is some smoking hot guitar built into it, too.

Sacrifice The mainstream pop rock sound is merged with a bit of a nu-metal edge here. I dig the vocal arrangement, and the lines of piano are a nice touch.

Angels There is some real magic in the balladic arrangement on this tune. This does get more rocking as it continues. It's not a massive change, but it's just a very effective version of the same kind of music that makes up the whole set. This one of the highlights here for sure.

Reignfall The piano ballad concept is in the driver's seat here. This is another that's dramatic and packed full of magic. It's also another highlight of the set. In fact, this might be the best track here. While this one also manages to rock out, it's much later in the track than on other pieces here.

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