French pop rockers tend to have an effortless melodic gift, and that’s the case with Xavier Boyer, leader of Parisian group Tahiti 80. Examining love that’s not quite tragic but rarely right, on his solo debut he balances a graceful singer/songwriter personality and incisive lyrics with a dulcet tenor, as though he’s mastered every soft-rock hit of the ’70s and ’80s and refortified them with in-the-moment passion. The chorus of “Carry On” and the piano funk of “Roundabout” predominate, but the whole album flows like Dashboard Confessional with an unexpected glow.
Now Hear This: Axe Riverboy – “Carry On” DOWNLOAD MP3
