Valente's album gains "Loveless" reaction

The Daily Collegian - 11/21/06

It's a wonder why Ricky Valente has not been recognized at more of a national level. Using a seamless blend of atmospheric hard rock and lighter vocals, "Loveless Letters" (his second album release) typifies what many of today's more famous artists strive for over multiple albums: an emotional and somewhat meaningful musical presence.


With a better backing band, more musical variation and a wider distribution, "Loveless Letters" might have given Valente a glimpse at stardom. Instead, it just cements his fan's appreciation for his music while the rest of us are left unsatisfied.


Although Valente is a talented musician, all his hard work just does not manage to get him off the ground. Citing Jimi Hendrix, Thelonious Monk, The Beatles, David Gilmour, The Queens of The Stone Age, Jeff Buckley and Beethoven as some of his influences, Valente really does not really epitomize any one of these musicians. His style is, as his influences suggest, a melting pot of musical history. With hard rocking, screaming solos coupled with sparse acoustic interludes and surprisingly meaningful lyrics, "Loveless Letters" tries to vary just as much as Hendrix and Beethoven do. Try as it might, though, it does not succeed.



One of "Loveless Letters'" major shortcomings relies on the fact that it bridges the gap between 1980s and 1990s music. Unfortunately for everyone, it came a decade too late. With grunge gone and hair-metal out of style, "Loveless Letters" lies precariously balanced between the likes of Van Halen and The Gin Blossoms, with only a hair holding it into our decade.


One main problem is the soloing. Sounding like an amateur Steve Vai (still amazing), Valente does manage to tear through some riffs but betrays "Loveless Letters'" image in the process. Using less hard rock and sticking to a softer sound, even during ripping solos, would make the album more realistic and appreciative.


"Loveless Letters," with under a half hour of running time, dwindles and becomes repetitive and uninspiring. Valente's lyrics and composition of "Loveless Letters" are what a lot of musicians look to strive for, yet his newest EP follows too strict of a formula in all of its songs. After the phenomenal "The Borderline," all of his other songs seem repetitive. The six tracks that follow seem to reap upon its greatness in the same fashion in which Ricky Valente does: mimicking the sound of something more successful.


In "Loveless Letters," it seems that Valente tries to be someone he isn't: a national artist. With local roots and ties, he should stick to what he knows and not try and be anything else, unless he can. With a few more tracks and more time spent cutting and editing, "Loveless Letters" could really stack up to be a decent sophomore album.


While his singles might be played on a Top 40 radio station someday, it is doubtful. Valente needs to focus on building a stronger, less regionalized fan base, one with which he can elevate his status and try and outgrow what he and "Loveless Letters" ended up being: mediocre at best.


"Loveless Letters" can be bought online at CDbaby.com for $10.