SAL PIAMONTE ‘LIVES IN DEVIL CITY’ (GRAND FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT/CANADA IMPORT)

Canadian rocker SAL PIAMONTE definitely has got all it takes to become the next big Rockstar. His music is quite typical Northern American and resembling a style that combines elements of KID ROCK, LENNY KRAVITZ, KING OF THE HILL and some DAUGHTRY/NICKELBACK/BO BICE. A little Southern Rock here, a lot of groovy gang-vocal driven midtempo Heavy Rock there and even a typical late 80s radio-ready Melodic Power Rockballad is thrown in for good measure as well (“Just a little bit” is basically pure WARRANT circa “Heaven” and “Sometimes she cries”), but Sal also goes for uptempo catchy Melodic Rock sometimes, such as during the best song “Tonight” that has a chorus that would not be out of place on a FRONTIERS RECORDS release! However, these are only a few songs that could be qualified as pure Melodic Rock, because most of the album is a mix of Classic Rock the groovy American Hardrock way and Modern Rock, like KID ROCK meets AEROSMITH meets a rockier THREE DOORS DOWN. Anyway, Sal still has an own identity, as he takes the best of all kinds of Rockstyles, mixes it up and thanks to his very strong production, the overall feeling of this CD is quite good. Sal impresses more than on one occasion and truly delivers here a high quality major label ish release, on which he by the way does a lot on his own (not only the excellent singing, but also the production, guitars and bass). It surely sounds like a 2011 record, very fresh and still interesting enough for the melodic rockfans with an open-mind to check out at: http://www.salpiamonte.com and http://www.facebook.com/salpiamonte and http://www.myspace.com/salpiamontemusic

(Points: 8.4 out of 10)

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HERE IS THE WRITE UP ON THE ROCKWIRED RADIO HOME PAGE:

FEBRUARY 1, 2012 – The polls have closed for ROCKWIRED.COM’s recent ARTIST OF THE MONTH campaign. Voters from all over the U.S. made their vote count and HILLBILLY VEGAS and their latest release RINGO MANOR are the first ARTIST OF THE MONTH winners for 2012. SAL PIAMONTE may hail from the same hometown as ALANIS MORRISETTE and his vibe may capture some of his homegirl’s rebellious fire, but “TAKE ME HOME”—the blistering first single from the Ottawa born singer/songwriter’ latest album LIVES IN DEVIL CITY—puts the listener square in the heart of Alabama and Louisiana, where soul-driven Southern rock reigns. As hard hitting as the tunes are, the multi-faceted, dangerously catchy 13-track set (which is bookended by a clever “BIG SLEAZY” intro and outro) isn’t simply about celebrating PIAMONTE’s diverse array of influences and the many ways, as he puts it, “Rock and Roll rules my soul.” DEVIL CITY is a hard hitting metaphor for a place where disillusionment reigns, the people you thought you could count on let you down and everyone’s in it for themselves. PIAMONTE’s task throughout is rising above. He’s seen the devil in a flowered dress (“WHATCHA SAY?”) but in this struggle of good vs. evil, he’s not giving up just because of a few setbacks.  “I think the difference in the efforts leading up to my new record, and my new record itself, is that I became more confident and focused with my message, choice of lyrics and chord progressions, and honing my melodies,” he says. “For a long while, it was hard for me to balance my love for Top 40 music, southern styled rock and roll and soulful elements with my love for more straight up styled rock, I feel that a certain process was necessary to get to this point. I feel that rock allows me the freedom to express my message so as to maximize my positive impact on the world and the people around me.”

SAL PIAMONTE won with 29% of the vote followed by ENGLORIA who took home a close 26% of the vote. Trailing behind them at a close third with 24% of the vote was blues rocker ALASTAIR GREEN. Other nominees for ARTIST OF THE MONTH included JANETE LABELLE, SHAUNA BURNS, RICHI ONORI and JJ CROWNE.

ROCKWIRED.COM will be launching its latest ARTIST OF THE MONTH campaign on JANUARY 2, 2012. Nominees for this latest wave include UNTIL CHAOS, DRASTIC ANDREW, DONNA DESTRI, RIVET HEAD, SAVING DAMSELS, FIVE MINUTE SIN and THE PORTER DRAW. Polling is provided by MICROPOLL and is as simple as making a selection and clicking ‘vote’.

While there is no trophy or huge payday for being an ARTIST OF THE MONTH winner, the benefits that come along with the title include expanded coverage and promotion. An ARTIST OF MONTH winner is awarded a month’s worth of free site-wide advertising on ROCKWIRED.COM. A 60-second commercial spot promoting the winner and their album will be featured on ROCKWIRED.COM’s entire programming for an entire month.  The winner is also featured in a special edition of ROCKWIRED RADIO PROFILES.  Banners are also given to the winners to further promote their ARTIST OF THE MONTH status on their own website or press packets. Lastly, winners are mentioned on all ROCKWIRED-related announcements/press materials.

“So far it is shaping up to be a good year for rock n roll here at ROCKWIRED” says ROCKWIRED founder BRIAN LUSH. “SAL PIAMONTE’s got this great, rebellious sound and I hope that we see more of it in the year to come.”

On the first listen, the listener does not feel the torque of rocker Sal Piamonte’s voice. That seems to be the theme ofLives in Devil City. He moves the listener into this grungy – electronic – sonic burst rock anthems. It takes a bit, but the listener gets there. He creates these pieces that while dark in the sense of not being saccharin-laced modern pop tracks, the lyrics actually have positive messages.

The journey starts with “Big Sleazy Intro,” which is nothing more than a Wolfman Jack-like jock character setting the tone. “Evil ways lead to darker days,” says this radio ham. It doesn’t quite mesh with the following track, but okay, kinda fun. (the album also ends with this character)

Like Newer INXS Tracks

“Take Me Home Tonight” is one of the album’s stand out tracks. The chorus really shakes things up and the incredible wall of sound Piamonte has orchestrated is shivering. This track is radio ready – and yet his voice is still not warmed up. In “Devil Woman” Piamonte’s voice is beginning, it seems, to charge itself more.

It’s as if he’s an Indy 500 driver, and just settling back in the back line, waiting patiently to make his move to the front. He really holds back in these first tracks – but still showcases his natural rock instincts. There is something about “Devil Woman” that reminds this writer/listener to think of some of the newer INXS tracks (with J.D. Fortune - who is also Canadian for the scorekeepers at home!).

Okay, Piamonte’s voice is sexy, but not as sensual as Fortune. There, it has been said.

In “Get Up, Get Up” Piamonte really transforms this song with his vocal command. The chorus is catchy and this track is another standout. Get this on the radio – preferably AAA or rock radio as soon as possible. Fans of the Sick Puppies might like this one, but will most likely be disappointed no poignant bass solos are featured.

“Shining Star” is almost industrial-rock, a bit NIN. A bit. This song sounds like it might be a bit demented at first, but again, Piamonte has this intriguing ability to still be calming; his energy is positive even though he’s talking about choking and spitting. Maybe if his tone had more anger to it, the song would take a complete turn. As is, it is a pretty sick track.

Overall CD Review

Overall, Lives in Devil City is a trip to Piamonte’s (albeit positive at times) underworld that garners a solid A rating. Totally unexpected at times and through and through the guy can write and belt out some very modern rock tracks. Fair warning to parents out there–Piamonte drops some F-bombs, and sometimes the lyrics might cause some confusion in some younger listeners.

Besides “Take Me Home,” “Get Up, Get Up,” “High Road” (slows things down a bit and has this killer guitar intro/tone) and “Go All Night” fans of Sick Puppies, Collective Soul, Nickelback, Escape Club, Grant Lee Buffalo and light, modern rock will dig Lives In Devil City.

http://skopemag.com/2012/01/13/sal-piamonte-lives-in-devil-city

Hey Everyone! The good news in 2012 keeps rollin’ in for the new Sal Piamonte “LIVES IN DEVIL CITY” Record! Have a read and enjoy! Thx for all your support and please keep it comin’!

“Canada’s Sal Piamonte first broke into the music scene with the release of his EP “Rouge” in 2008.  In 2010, he released the self-produced LP, “Free Money”.  Now, Piamonte is rocking eardrums with Lives in Devil City.  I repeat… rocking.

The first single, “Take Me Home” is already getting radio play.  Piamonte sings about a very unique girl who will “rock your world”. Who can resist a rocker’s love song? The album gets more impressive after each track.  “Devil Woman” and “Get Up Get Up” really shows the compatibility between Piamonte’s strong voice and his backup band.

The album takes a slower twist with “Just A Little Bit”. Perfectly placed on the album, the song shows the softer side to Piamonte. I hope to see similar tracks like this on his future releases. “Tonight” might be my favorite song. The opening bass beats and Piamonte’s echoing voice will stick in your head, and for good reason.  If there is that one song you repeat immediately after listening to it, it will be this one.

In “Shining Star”, Piamonte puts the ballads aside and rages. He creatively gets his meaning across with the lyrics, “Now you’re reeking/ all the lies and the shit that you sold me/Like a pretty little cake/That I ate, yeah/That I choked on/And tried not to spit out/So you would be ok”.

The rest of the album does not falter. In fact, I already recommended Lives in Devil City to my friend who is a fan of Hinder and Scott Stapp. Although, I do not like comparing artists to one another, Sal Piamonte is someone my friend needs to hear. “Go All Night” ends the album and will leave you wanting more. Although I have never seen Piamonte live, I am curious to see him and his band rock out on stage.”
To view online, please visit:

http://www.musicemissions.com/artists/albums/index.php?album_id=14746

http://www.rockwired.com/aomballot.html

WISHING ALL OF YOU AN AMAZING AND SUCCESSFUL 2012~!~MUCH LOVE FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!!! ))

From our family to yours….

HAVE A GREAT FESTIVE SEASON AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

TO READ THE REVIEW PLEASE GO TO:

http://neufutur.com/?p=26006

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!!…PLZ KEEP IT COMIN!!!!

When you have a sec plz take the time to check out rockwired.com to view the new feature on Sal Piamonte!!!…Sal was recently interviewed by “The Man” himself, Mr. Brian Lush, who put together a fantastic piece!!!  A huge shout-out to our ROCKWIRED RADIO PEEPS!!!!

TO SEE THE LINK AND HEAR THE INTERVIEW, PLEASE VISIT:

http://www.rockwired.com/rockwiredprofiles204.html

ENJOY AND KEEP THE GREAT KARMA ROLLIN’!!!!!!