Review Summary: Marcus goes back to basics on his fourth album; not only is it well-crafted mainstream rock that pays tribute to 80-s hard rock, it's heavy focus on melody and pop make "Rebirth" Marcus's most optimistic, and best, album.
Back in 2006, L.A. rockstar Marcus Fretshreder, just about to turn 24, made a good first impression with his self-titled debut that melded 80's L.A. hair metal with 21st century mainstream rock with just enough post-grunge pretense to impress critics. 2008's "Guitar s and Life Lessons" was much more personal as Marcus proved he wasn't a classic Rock N' Roll cliche, as he balanced stardom with being a husband and father (which he achieved even before his debut). 2010's "Everybody" was extremely schizophrenic, but that's what Marcus was going for; with influences as widespread as Aeeosmith to Guns N' Roses to Pearl Jam to... Nine Inch Nails, Marcus proved that Rock music was not three-dimensional, something his aforementioned influences (with the exception of NIN) never did. However, this was his drawback. Each of his previous records left a hole for some unsatisfied fans. LP #1, while a debut, left little to the imagination of what Marcus was could do; LP #2 was fantastic, but led to a seriousness that would sink with LP #3; it did, despite one or two Aerosmith nods, led Marcus to 21st century hard rock without pop hooks. Marcus, like Bon Jovi, can have a rock crowd throw the "devil horns," but cater to the pop market in an uncompromising way. That's what makes 2012's "Rebirth" his best album: heavy on the molody, light on the metal. Marcus caused controversy in the Rock community by saying the record is his most "pop-sounding," and it is. But who says that's a bad thing, since Marcus's nice guy/ bad boy rock persona is beyond refreshing. The record is just as autobiographical as 2008's "Guitars...," but here he knows things will get better. The Creed-like opener, "Who I Am," plays as a middle finger to critics bashing Marcus's pop sellout attempts and non-threatening approach. While he nods to Alternative Metal like on "Everybody" with "Never Again," it's still surprisingly hopeful, getting rid of the negativity that ruined his life before he was saved by rock n roll. However, the overwhelming pop sound Marcus promised on "Rebirth" delivers the best songs. The lead single, "Slide," was insanely melodic with acoustic-not electric-guitars, and a comforting message of a love that never dies. The Poison tribute, "Without You," brings glam metal to the 2000's no one ever thought possible. "Rescue Me," the closest to Pop that Marcus comes on the album, persuades romance is the only real pain reliever that works. "Getaway" does replicate the party rock antics of Marcus's debut, but welcomes people to join a utopia, not a strip club. Despite its conventional sounds, "Rebirth" isn't without surprises. "Broken is a low-key ballad that is effective due to its romantic drama movie soundtrack-like appeal and message. "All Of This" is perfect post-grunge with big guitars and even bigger emoting, but a little out of Marcus's Classic Rock comfort zone. Still, that's nothing compared to "All I Want," a mid-90's alt. rock inspirational that mirrors R.E.M, not Pearl Jam, with guitars that jangle instead of shread. Finally, these emotional ups and downs hit the high note with "Stronger Than Ever," an anthem about leaving pain behind delivered in vocally in a way Marcus could only do now at 30, not in'06 at 24. "Rebirth" is an amazing record Marcus Fretshreder now knows who he is, what his fans want, and how to turn music into therapy that always shines light at the end of the tunnel.
