ROWYNN - Subjective

ROWYNN

Subjective
self-released; 2016
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4.0 out of 5

By Jamie Robash

The New York based power rock trio ROWYNN has been playing music for long enough that their sound is polished and together. It’s the kind of work that only maturity, practice and gigging stages all across the United States can produce. Hell they’ve even played Madison Square Garden in their tenure, which is nothing short of an amazing accomplishment in itself. 
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The latest offering from ROWYNN’s singer/guitarist Richard Cianflone, drummer Pete Cianflone and bassist James Brogan is the heavy hitting, yet deftly harmonic record Subjective. Collectively it sounds like the culmination of many years of hard work that stretches across the genres of classic metal and classic rock, but also throws in some very folky three-part vocal harmonies and even touches down in the funk zone from time to time. In short Subjective is all over the musical map, but still retains a cohesive tone throughout, a feat which is never easy to accomplish. 

​Subjective begins by bringing the rock, and bringing it in a big way. The opener “Simple Things” starts off with a strong build of guitar, bass and drums and then turns into mellow rocker with spot on vocal harmonies and a bit of piano in the midst of a change. As “Simple Things” meanders along one is pulled into its harmonies and grooves singer Richard Cianflone’s vocals along with the backing vocals gives off the essence of Pyschocandy.   Next the band traverse the territories of glam-metal and hard rock with the ‘80s era rocker “Unbroken.” Proving their craftsmanship and seemingly “there’s nothing we can’t do” attitude ROWYNN slip effortlessly into the guitar ballad “Reverie” with its well-crafted vocal harmonies and simple acoustic melody and made increasingly beautiful when the synths come in. 

Subjective seems like the kind of record that wouldn’t be complete without a jam session instrumental that demonstrates its members penchant for their chosen instrument and the style of music they play. ROWYNN delivers this on the rollicking four-minute “T.E.S.T.O.E. (The Exceptionally Simple Theory Of Everything).” They follow this up with the hard-edged blues intoned rocker “When I Wake Up.” ROWYNN save the most metal of their songs “See My Way” for last, and it’s definitely worth the wait as it sees these boys throwing everything they’ve got into every hard-hitting note. 

With Subjective ROWYNN proves why they are purveyors of the classic rock genre. Their chops are up to snuff with their more famous forebears and their vocal harmonies are as well. Lovers of classic rock looking to add some new blood to their collection would do well to add Subjective to their rotation.

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