Dion Bayman – Don’t Look Down 2016 album review. 5 star rating.

Dion Bayman

“Don’t Look Down”

2016 release.

Dion Bayman – One More Reason video, audio only.

Dion Bayman – All vocals, instruments and production.

Artist location: Australia.

5 out of 5 stars rating.

Reviewed by David.

1. One More Reason.
2. 24 Hours A Day.
3. Keep Coming Back.
4. For You.
5. This Time.
6. Had To Let You Know.
7. Open Your Heart.
8. The Last One.
9. It’s Only Love.
10. Before My Eyes.

 

Dion Bayman is back, and he is back in a big way. The first thing I noticed when listening to this album was that Dion has not lost a step. He still sounds fantastic vocally. He still produces top notch sounding records and most of all he still writes insanely catchy songs. Listen to, well actually any track on the record, but one of my personal favorites, “Keep Coming Back”, and hear for yourself.

This man has consistantly one upped each album, taking everything that worked on his previous album, tweaking it and making it even better on his next one. His 2007 release,  “Truth Or Dare”  was good. His 2013 release, “Smoke And Mirrors”,  was very good and his 2014 release,  “Afterburn”,  was outstanding.

I had my doubts as to if Bayman would be able to write another record with the strength of his last. After all, his last  album, “Afterburn”, was easily one of the best melodic pop rock records to come along since Richard Marx, Rick Springfield  and Bryan Adams were in their prime, and let’s face it, those are some seriously big shoes to fill. As it turns out, those doubts were completely unwarrented.

This new album is a natural follow-up to  “Afterburn” and Dion has yet again outdone himself and delivers his best album to date, with both albums coming as close as I have come to giving a perfect 5 star rating on anything I have reviewed on this site as of yet, which is really saying something considering some of the goldmines I have reviewed thus far.

Musically it follows in the same vein as “Afterburn”. We are treated to the same infectious melodies, the same superb vocals and the same strength in songwriting that we have seen from Bayman before. Occasionally we hear a bit of a heavier side then on the previous album, but he still stays within the melodic, guitar driven, pop rock arena that we already know and love from him. His crystal clear vocals fit this style perfectly and you can’t help but wonder why this man isn’t all over the radio.

Artists like Dion Bayman really get the shit end of the stick in the music business. This guy is so chock full of talent it is enough to make those of us who weren’t blessed with the talent of, well basically anything, sick. These kinds of artists who write all of their own material, play every instrument on the album, self produce and self publish every album they do are criminally unknown. Meanwhile some blow hard gets their album picked up by a major record label and sells millions of copies. Is it fair? Hell no. In a fair world these artists would be multi-million album sellers and “artists” like Justin Beiber  could go to hell. In a fair world Dion Bayman would be a household name and everyone would be singing along when a song like “One More Reason” came on the radio. He is certainly deserving of it.

His voice is above reproach, a clear and beautiful vocal throughout the whole record as usual. His production, as stated earlier, is top notch and competes with anyone releasing on big named record labels. And the songs here are all fantastic with not a filler track in sight.

As a fan I have no complaints with this release. As a critic the only thing I can find wrong with it is that some may find his melodies to get somewhat monotonous after a while. With that being said, I challenge anyone to take a serious look at their favorite band/artist and see if they don’t do the same as well, especially if every song is written by the same person. To me, this is not a negative, the songs are fantastic and more of the same is welcome. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, that is my mindset. Personally I much prefer this over an artist trying to branch out and try something new or off the wall and fail miserably.

If you are a fan of his previous work then you will not be disappointed in this album. It follows the same formula as “Afterburn” with it’s high output of catchy, melodic, hook filled songs that will have you singing along in no time. If you have not heard his previous work then only one question remains, why the hell not? Look him up, get his music, support this man. This is someone that does this for the love of music and not the monetary gain. Your support is paramount to artists like this. Visit his website or Facebook, buy his music, tell your friends and above all else, just enjoy the hell out of his music.

I cannot recommended highly enough. Fans of Rick Springfield, Jimmy Martin and other melodic pop rock artists will find much to like here. If you want some top of the line music from a man that knows how to deliver incredibly catchy, hook-laden melodies then look no further. It doesn’t get much better then this folks.

Check him out here.

Dion Bayman Facebook.

Dion Bayman website.

I want to give a special shout out to the man himself, Dion Bayman, for sending me an advance copy of this phenomenol record for me to review. He is truly a down to earth and humble guy that just does what he does best, consistantly deliver damn good music to us fans.

 

Standout Tracks:

 

One More Reason.

Keep Coming Back.

For You.

This Time.

Had To Let You Know.

The Last One.

Before My Eyes.